What is the shape of the Universe?

Question

I was wondering what is the most accepted theory on what the shape of the WHOLE universe is? I have heard it is a globe shape much like a planet, I have also heard that if you were to look at it from a distance it is like a sheet of paper. And I have even heard that it is ever expanding in 360 degrees. Which is the most accepted?

-Nate-

Answer 1

The shape is unknown.

The concept that it is spherical is based upon looking in all directions and being able to see so far.

Looking at the whole Universe from some point of view outside of the universe is a fool's task. Nothing can step outside to look.

The concept of every expanding is based upon mathematics with some direct observation to confirm the concept.

The Universe contains everything. Different individuals, doing different tasks will assume whatever shape they think makes since to them. They will back this up with geometries and mathematics or logic to make their case.

There is more no direct evidence for a sphere or a plane stretched at its edges than there is evidence that it is shaped like a rubber duck. (Although I doubt that you will ever get get anyone to tell you that it is shaped like a duck, rubber or otherwise).

Consider this concept: As a human, no matter where you position yourself in the Universe, you will see it expanding away from you in all directions for as far as you can collect data. What shape can do that?

Answer 2

According to NASA's DUO project: Before the discovery of dark energy, the shape of the Universe was believed to be determined by a struggle between the inward pull of gravity and the outward momentum of its expansion. The strength of the gravitational force, in turn, depended only on the density of the normal and dark matter in the Universe. Without dark energy, the fate of the Universe is entirely determined by its shape - the density of the matter in the Universe determining whether the Universe will expand forever, coast to a state of balance or collapse in on itself in a big crunch.

The compelling evidence for dark energy leads to a future of Universal acceleration, in which galaxies fly ever farther apart. Ultimately the only galaxies that we will be able to view are those in our Local Group, which are gravitationally bound to the Milky Way.

In our Milky Way Galaxy there are 235 planetary bodies, of which 169 moons are in our Solar System. These 169 moons are the well documented satellite moons of the 9 planets. Jupiter alone has 63 moons. The challenge lies in how we can build atmospheres on them to support human life and all other living things. Also, we have to weed out the ones that are inhospitable.

Venus=0, Earth=1, Mars=2, Jupiter=63, Saturn=60, Uranus=27, Neptune=13, Pluto=3

The trick is to categorize them into planets/moons that either spin on their axis, or don't. Then, increase the surface gravity by inserting a Superconducting Magnet into the core. The magnet would range from 2 Tesla to 15 Tesla, depending on the amount of iron/nickel that is present in the core.

Finally, to introduce atmospheric gases into the man made electromagnetic bubble.

This website gives the exact location of each of the moons of Jupiter: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~sheppard/sate...

and this site tells us how to make an ATMOSPHERE on all the moons: http://www.atmospheres.5u.com/index.html...

Answer 3

It does not have a shape in the conventional sense. The "shape" of an object refers to the geometry of its surface or boundary. Whether or not the universe is finite or otherwise, however, it is unbounded, so the term has no meaning. If one generalizes the concept of shape to higher dimensions, though, it can be said to have a shape (hyper-shape?). The two simplest candidates are hyper-spherical or hyperbolic for a closed or open universe, respectively. It's not know which.

Answer 4

None, we can't yet say with absolute sure what's the Universe shape, if it even has one, if it was like a globe as you've said, what's outside of it then?
Got it?

Answer 5

Good question. I have a feeling it's infinite. No end, and no beginning. It's massive, dark, and there's so much out there your mind can't even comprehend. I wonder if there will ever be technology possible to get your answer? Makes you think though.

Answer 6

Maybe it's a toenail on some guy in what I guess would be considered another dimension...

Answer 7

I'm sure it looks something like one of these
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Glass_tesseract_animation.gif/200px-Glass_tesseract_animation.gif

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/24-cell.gif