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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. |
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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! |
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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! |
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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. |
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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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