What shape does the universe take? This is the question humanity continues to ponder, with some believing the cosmos resembles a sheet of paper but with more than two dimensions, others assert it is entirely flat. To uncover its true form, the first step would be to consider the theory of general relativity. This seemingly simple question is far from straightforward. If you tilt your head slightly and gaze up at the sky, sailing toward that blue horizon, passing through the clouds, and adjusting your breathing to penetrate the atmosphere, a universe unfolds. Stars, planets, cosmic dust, galaxies, etc., set the pace of spatial movement. The only constant: is geometry (which is everywhere).
However, given the multitude of shapes and the infinite and mysterious space surrounding us, what is the true geometry of space in the universe? Here, we explain.
The Shape of the Universe: An Abstraction Challenging the Senses
Although much remains to be explored and space has provided only a few clues about its structure, experts have recently found what could be a signal regarding the shape of the cosmos. According to a study conducted by the University of Kansas, the geometric patterns of galaxies suggest that the cosmos may have a defined shape. If this discovery is confirmed, it could signify that experts have found the anisotropy of the universe. This means that the properties of space differ in different parts of it, especially when geometry may influence the fate of the universe, determining whether it will continue to expand, collapse, or remain in equilibrium.
In other words, spherical geometry suggests a finite universe and could lead to gravitational collapse in the future, while hyperbolic geometry could allow for eternal expansion. However, in flat geometry, parallel lines never intersect, suggesting an infinite universe.
Discovering the Anisotropy of the Universe: What Shape Does the Universe Have?
This new theory shakes up everything we knew about the universe. According to the aforementioned study, the collected data contradicts the idea that the cosmos expands without any specific direction and that galaxies navigate within it without order. This is because anisotropy suggests the existence of patterns that distribute galaxies throughout space. Furthermore, it demonstrates how galaxies, separated by space and time, relate through the directions in which they rotate. Thus, the universe grows hand in hand with a particular structure. This was confirmed by observing galaxies in modern telescopes, where from two different points in the universe, it is possible to observe asymmetry in the organization of its elements.
Moreover, experts found that the asymmetry between the directions of rotation of galaxies increases when they are farther from Earth. This could indicate that in the early universe, it was more consistent and less chaotic. If that weren’t enough, it was also discovered that the cosmos exhibits asymmetry in different parts. That is, asymmetry is part of the general consistent pattern of space. In reality, this is a complex alignment of multiple axes, demonstrating that although the universe may appear disorderly, it has complete consistency.
This story was written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera.
