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Finite Universe: The Torus Shape



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 31st 04, 10:02 PM
Maria Chiquita Alvarez
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Default Finite Universe: The Torus Shape

http://www.ams.org/new-in-math/mathnews/universe.html

What is the shape of the universe? Is it finite? These are two of the most
important questions in cosmology today. Mathematics is providing striking
new insights into deducing the shape of the universe from observational
data. These insights, which will be put to the test in the coming decade as
scientists receive data from a new space probe, have the potential to
transform our view of cosmology.

Gazing out into the night sky, one easily gets the impression that the
universe continues forever in all directions. However; this impression is
akin to thinking that the Earth is flat and continues forever in all
directions because that is how it appears when one scans the horizon. Fairly
sensitive measurements are needed to detect the curvature of the Earth. The
same is true for detecting the shape of the universe.

One possible shape the universe might have is analogous to the surface of a
doughnut. Mathematicians call this shape a torus, and it is a fundamental
object of study in the areas of geometry and topology. The torus model has a
weird property: For every object we observe in the universe, we would see
not one but multiple images of the object. These images correspond to light
emitted by the object at different points in time and at different angles.
In fact, mixed in with all the observational data cosmologists collect would
be multiple images of our very own galaxy. Taken together, these images
would provide information about some fundamental properties of the shape of
the universe.

The problem is that we cannot recognize these images of our own galaxy; we
do not even know what it looks like from the "outside". However, the Cosmic
Microwave Background radiation---the after-glow of the Big Bang that
permeates the universe---may provide some clues. For this approach to work,
more detailed data of the CMB is needed. By 2002, NASA's Microwave
Anisotropy Probe will have furnished more accurate data with much better
resolution than is available today.

These ideas are explored in the article "Measuring the Shape of the
Universe" by Neil J. Cornish and Jeffrey R. Weeks, which appeared in the
December 1998 issue of theNotices of the AMS.


  #2  
Old July 31st 04, 10:17 PM
Maria Chiquita Alvarez
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Default Finite Universe: The Torus Shape

On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 23:18:33 +0200, "Dr. Flonkenstein"
wrote:

This is still a topic of discussion since Einstein came out with the
General Theory of Relativity.



It's Tequila Time!
  #3  
Old July 31st 04, 10:25 PM
Maria Chiquita Alvarez
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Default Finite Universe: The Torus Shape

On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 23:26:00 +0200, "Dr. Flonkenstein"
wrote:

So you won't be able to have a serious discussion about cosmology?


Francisco "Pancho" Villa loves you!

  #4  
Old July 31st 04, 10:32 PM
Maria Chiquita Alvarez
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Default Finite Universe: The Torus Shape

On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 15:26:08 -0600, "C.R. Osterwald" wrote:

cosmologist


http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni.html

Cosmology: The Study of the Universe

Cosmology is the scientific study of the large scale properties of the
Universe as a whole. It endeavors to use the scientific method to understand
the origin, evolution and ultimate fate of the entire Universe. Like any
field of science, cosmology involves the formation of theories or hypotheses
about the universe which make specific predictions for phenomena that can be
tested with observations. Depending on the outcome of the observations, the
theories will need to be abandoned, revised or extended to accommodate the
data. The prevailing theory about the origin and evolution of our Universe
is the so-called Big Bang theory discussed at length in the pages linked
below. This primer in cosmological concepts is organized as follows:
The main concepts of the Big Bang theory are introduced in the first section
with scant regard to actual observations.
The second section discusses the classic tests of the Big Bang theory that
make it so compelling as an apparently valid description of our universe.
The third section discusses observations that highlight limitations of the
Big Bang theory and point to a more detailed model of cosmology than the Big
Bang theory alone provides. As discussed in the first section, the Big Bang
theory predicts a range of possibilities for the structure and evolution of
the universe.
The final section discusses what constraints we can place on the nature of
our universe based on current data, and indicates how WMAP furthers our
understanding of cosmology.
In addition, a few related topics are discussed based on commonly asked
questions.



  #5  
Old July 31st 04, 10:46 PM
Maria Chiquita Alvarez
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Default Finite Universe: The Torus Shape

On Sat, 31 Jul 2004 23:32:41 +0200, "Dr. Flonkenstein"
wrote:

I think Chuckweasel is now preparing another long hate message!


Francisco "Pancho" Villa loves you!

 




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