If the universe is infinite, then what is the shape of the universe?

Question

If infinite can be defined as endless and never ending, can it be labeled a shape? When dealing with shapes, one can determine area, volume, diameter, density and whatnot. If the universe is infinite, then it has an infinite volume, area, and etc. However, which shape is thus formed?

Answer 1

There are the theories:
Global shape
A compact space is a general topological definition that encompasses the more applicable notion of a bounded metric space. In cosmological models, it requires either one or both of: the space has positive curvature (like a sphere), and/or it is "multiply connected", or more strictly non-simply connected.

If the 3-manifold of a spatial section of the universe is compact then, as on a sphere, straight lines pointing in certain directions, when extended far enough in the same direction will reach the starting point and the space will have a definable "volume" or "scale". If the geometry of the universe is not compact, then it is infinite in extent with infinite paths of constant direction that, generally do not return and the space has no definable volume, such as the Euclidean plane.

If the spatial geometry is spherical, the topology is compact. Otherwise, for a flat or a hyperbolic spatial geometry, the topology can be either compact or infinite.

or:
Flat universe
In a flat universe, all of the local curvature and local geometry is flat. In general it can be described by Euclidean space, however there are some spatial geometries which are flat and bounded in one or more directions. These include, in two dimensions, the cylinder, the torus, and the Möbius Strip. Similar spaces in three dimensions also exist.

or:
Spherical universe
A positively curved universe is described by spherical geometry, and can be thought of as a three-dimensional hypersphere.

One of the endeavors in the analysis of data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is to detect multiple "back-to-back" images of the distant universe in the cosmic microwave background radiation. Assuming the light has enough time since its origin to travel around a bounded universe, multiple images may be observed. While current results and analysis do not rule out a bounded topology, if the universe is bounded then the spatial curvature is small, just as the spatial curvature of the surface of the Earth is small compared to a horizon of a thousand kilometers or so.

Based on analyses of the WMAP data, cosmologists during 2004-2006 focused on the Poincaré dodecahedral space (PDS), but also considered horn topologies to be compatible with the data.

or:
Hyperbolic universe
A hyperbolic universe (frequently but confusingly called "open") is described by hyperbolic geometry, and can be thought of as something like a three-dimensional equivalent of an infinitely extended saddle shape. For hyperbolic local geometry, many of the possible three-dimensional spaces are informally called horn topologies.

The ultimate fate of an open universe is that it will continue to expand forever, ending in a Heat Death, a Big Freeze or a Big Rip. This topology is consistent with astrophysical measurements made in the late 1990's.

Answer 2

According to all estimates the Universe is NOT infinite. It is amazing, to me, how many people are under the impression that Scientists say it is. They don't. Some think it might be, but most think it's finite. Anyone claiming to be a scientist who say it *IS ABSOLUTLY FOR SURE* infinite is probably not a scientist.

BUT! To answer your question, specificly, "IF the universe is infinite THEN what shape is it?"

This is only a wild guess, but I'd imagine that if it is infinite then it is probably infinitely small. A point particle. It's shape is the same as it's size, zero. This is the main reason that I doubt it's inifite.

Seriously, the universe is really, really, really, really freakin big man. But infinity? It's infinitely bigger than the universe. ^_^

Answer 3

Due to all the matter in the universe and its gravitational pull we can assume it resembles a circular/shperical shape. But it is said that the universe has no center and no edge. This being said, its hard to say what shape it is.

The universe has no center that we can perceive. It can only be seen in the 4th dimension. Think of cooking a loaf of raisin bread. As the bread expands as it is cooking, all the raisins are moving away from each other no matter where they are in the loaf of bread.The universe is constantly expanding - take a balloon and draw dots on it to represent galaxys. As you blow up the balloon, all the dots are moving away from each other, just like in our 3 dimension everything is expanding. The balloon is a visualization in 2 dimensions. Now put an ant on the balloon. He can walk around and come across the dots as he travels around. But he would never see the center. He is limited by 2 dimensions. Same for us - we can see the galaxys in 3 dimensions but we can't see the center because it is in the 4th dimension. For us, the center of the universe IS THE UNIVERSE.

Based on this imformation, what shape do you suppose it is?

Answer 4

The universe is a finite entity which means it has a maximum and a minimum size.
The shape has to be spherical,it couldn't have expanded in one direction.
Though the universe is in a continual state of expansion it's diameter must be about 6 billions light years in radius,it could be much older but not much bigger.
The evolution of galaxies is probably the key to how it evolves and the result of gamma ray bursts distributed randomly at extreme distances

Answer 5

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni/uni_101shape.html
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/infpoint.html

I think the universe seemed infinite to the equipment they used when they made that statement.

If the universe is expanding then yes, in a sense it is infinite, just not yet.

but many claim the universe is expanding and contracting, pulsing back and forth.

http://skyserver.sdss.org/dr1/en/astro/universe/universe.asp
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/01/04/do0402.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/01/04/ixportal.html

There are many theories out there, none have truely been accepted yet though.

infinite can be warped into being with the proper point of view.

long video, but interesting
http://www.tenthdimension.com/medialinks.php

Answer 6

tham153....

if u still think Keplers solution to olbers paradox is correct then u r in the past.....

keplers solution has been proved wrong and the correct solution has been proposed by ER Harrison who considered the finite lifetime of the stars which was completely ignored by Kepler

and to answer ur question

ur question is basically wrong. we dont yet know wheter the universe is finite or infinite so there cant be a correct answer to a wrong question

Answer 7

If it really is infinite then it would not have a shape. A shape would indicate an end or enclosure or wall and then it would not be infinite.

Answer 8

First the Universe is not infinite.It is continually expanding in all directions.The Universe has no particular shape as there is no center .

Answer 9

Well its flat of course, and the clouds are all held up by the moutian tops... lolol

Answer 10

universe is infinite because it surrounds us....