What do scientists currently believe to exist outside of the universe?

Question

Since the universe is expanding, that meanse it is growing larger. But what is it expaning into? Is it expanding into pure nothingness? If so, is this pure nothingness the same as intergalactic space?
Just curious of what scientists currently believe about that. Thanks

Answer 1

The universe contains everything there is. While it is possible for there to be other universes, they aren't "outside" this one, such terms are meaningless in this context. The universe both contains all matter/energy, and also all dimensions of space and time. Nothing could exist in a hypothetical "outside", because there is simply no space, no dimensions, no room for anything to exist in. Not to mention no time, so such things would also lack duration.

There isn't an edge to the universe either. This is particularly difficult to imagine, but picture a flat, 2D universe like a sheet of paper, but curved into a ball. It is still a 2D universe, but with no edge. Space is curved somewhat like this (according to the positive curvature hypothesis), in a direction we are not capable of perceiving. You could not find the edge, but you could end up back where you started by going in a straight line, circumnavigating the universe.

Answer 2

The pure nothingness the universe is expanding into isn't the same thing as empty space. Even empty space is quite a complicated thing, and it isn't the same as nothing. The ancient Greeks understood the difference, surprisingly enough. Consider the vacuum separating the filament from the glass envelope of a light bulb; it's a few centimetres of empty space. Now consider the 2 million light years of vacuum separating us from M31, the Andromeda galaxy. There's a difference, even though both contain nothing. There are two possibilities. Either nothing is outside the universe, not even empty space, or there are a whole lot, possibly an infinite number, of other universes, each with its own physical laws. For what it's worth, I find the last idea easy to believe. It explains why so many physical constants are just right for intelligent life like us to exist. If gravity, or the charge on an electron, or the number of spatial dimensions were just a little bit different, then we couldn't exist. Fantastic coincidence? Not if you've got lots of universes each with their own physical laws. In most of them, there's no complex, intelligent life. It's not surprising that you and I find ourselves here. It's the only place where we could possibly exist.

Answer 3

No, the only two things that can exist outside the Universe is more Universes or nothingness. If you go into religous means, you could say Heaven could exist outside the Universe but those would be the only things.

Answer 4

Scientists are not currently sure about the configuration of the Universe.There is still dispute that whether universe has a boundary or not and its infinitude is always questioned.So, there is much more inside the universe for the scientists to bother than to bother that what exists outside it.I hope u understand.

Answer 5

The universe is expanding in time. Now is the edge of the universe.

Answer 6

Currently it is believed (and supported by a lot of observational data) that the Universe is expanding (in a multidimensional sense) and that there is no 'outside' or anything that is 'expanded into'.

Doug

Answer 7

I can't begin to explain what I know about "String Theory" or it's hybrid "Membrane Theory" tonight and expect you to begin to fathom the theoretical principals or math behind it. I have enough trouble with it. Too many definitions for you to read about in this forum, too.

So my best advice is to research it and find out what the term "brane" means. maybe then you'll get some idea.

You're certainly welcome to return with more questions when your research gets snagged.

Answer 8

There are no theories on this. The universe may be infinite for all anyone knows.