2007-06-26 17:04:53 · 12 answers · asked by lheryzhel 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
There are various estimates for the size of the Universe, ranging from 10 billion light years to 40 billion light years in diameter. This sounds like a big difference, but in astronomers terms, so long as it isn't off by "an order of magnitude," 10 or 1/10th the size, it's close enough to be the same.
However, the Universe doesn't have an edge, so you would have a hard time measuring it.
The Universe is a closed unbounded space in three dimensions. The easiest way to think about it is to consider the Earth itself, which is a closed, unbounded space in two dimensions. Closed means not limitless. Unbounded means it has no edges. (A plate is closed and bounded in two dimensions.)
If the Earth had a solid smooth surface, you could start walking in any direction and keep walking forever. Eventually, you would wind up back where you started, even though you had never changed direction. You keep going and come around the back side. The surface of the Earth does this by being curved in a third dimension.
The Universe is closed and unbounded in three dimensions. It does this by curving through a fourth spatial dimension. (In this case, the fourth dimension is not time.) You could go straight in any direction and eventually you would wind up back where you started, even though you hadn't turned around.
Pretty cool.
2007-06-26 17:34:25 · answer #1 · answered by TychaBrahe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe is finite but is expanding (at the Hubble rate) you couldn't ever reach the edge so in that sense its infinite. It would take forever for you to travel to the edge of the universe. That being said the universe is about 12 billion light years in size.
2007-06-26 17:19:36 · answer #2 · answered by ctmtz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'll bet you could all you have to do is buy my miracle product. The kit includes a fishbowl(to put over your head in space), A trampoline(to jump into space), and a ruler(so you can measure how far out until you get to the end). It'll only cost you 300 dollars
2007-06-26 17:13:54 · answer #3 · answered by Nohbdy 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
there is no beginning or end of the known universe.
it is in of itself (which we are included, as in our solar system), a total expanse, to include all and be all, there
is no "fall off the edge of the earth " logic here. there is no measurement in any form, it is limitless and forever, reach for the stars, they are there for you to grab and hold.
2007-06-26 17:26:03 · answer #4 · answered by barrbou214 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An astrophysicist could approximate the length, based on a bunch of calculations I don't really understand.
2007-06-26 17:14:07 · answer #5 · answered by joie_du_cor 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry, but the universe is absoulutely unmeaserable and is forever expanding according to certain religions.
2007-06-26 17:14:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
uhh no nobody can't tell you that sorry:(...the universe goes on forever and ever and humans find that hard to understand
2007-06-26 17:10:40 · answer #7 · answered by AbCdEfG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
19.36942 billion light years and expanding.
2007-06-26 20:08:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
15 billion light years long, give or take.
2007-06-26 17:12:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you meet someone who can tell you that, better run away....!!!!
2007-06-26 17:20:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋