The (in)finite Universe

Mankind has always been intrigued about the mysteries of space. One of the most compelling questions we ask is whether space is infinite or finite. Does space have an end or does it continue to go on indefinitely? Einstein once said “only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity.” How right could have Einstein been? And is it truly possible to tell?

The first step to determining whether or not the universe is infinite is by examining the universe itself. To solve this mystery we shall review what we already (think) we know about our universe. Astronomers and scientists estimate that the universe is 13.7 billion years old (Wright). This year is determined from the moment the big bang occurred. We also know that in theory the big bang was a large explosion that created and expanded the universe we know of today. The universe contains a massive amount of planets, including stars, which are grouped into unimaginable amount of galaxies. To put into retrospect how large our universe is, let’s look at the second nearest star to us. It is estimated that the second nearest star to us is 25 trillion miles away. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, measures 100,000 light years in diameter and is one galaxy within a group of 50 galaxies measuring ten million light years across. A light year is the distance traveled at speed of light for one year. This is roughly six trillion miles (Hincks). Those are certainly very large numbers. But does this mean the universe is truly infinite? There have been many theories on this matter that I wish to explore.

Ever since the beginning, early man has pondered and tried to answer the question of an infinite universe. Epicurus in the third century B.C. said “there are infinite worlds both like and unlike ours” (Chrichton). When we think about the extraordinary size the universe appears to be it is no wonder why we think of it as infinite.  However not everyone believes the universe is infinite. Jean-Pierre Luminet in his book “The Wrap Around Universe” argues that the universe is not infinite. Luminet states that the universe is shaped like a sphere much like a soccer ball. The sky acts as an array of mirrors that mimics multiple galaxies from the light of just one. In his theory, many images of galaxies are mere copies of one single galaxy (Geftner). Not only does this declare that the universe then is not infinite, but the universe is also limited and smaller than it appears.

            Another theory to explore examines the universe as infinite. However, to better understand this theory we must understand Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity.” In the 20^th century Einstein announced that time and space were not separate but connected. This is known as space-time. According to space-time, time is warped and curved rather than flat. The more mass a planet has, the more curve will be produced in space-time. The greater the curve or planets mass, the slower time moves. This theory was proven in 1962. Two atomic clocks, the most precise clocks in the world, were placed at the top and bottom of a water tower. The clock at the bottom of the water tower near the earth’s core moved slower than the clock at the top. Einstein called this difference “Time Dilution” (Fuller).

            Now that we have an idea of how space-time works we can examine the next theory. Edward Wright from the University of California explains the assumption since the universe is 13.7 billion years old means it can only have grown by 13.7 billion light years. Wright announced this assumption false. According to Wright, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is the answer. A 13.7 billion year journey through the universe with an atomic clock would hardly tick at all according to Einstein’s theory of relativity. This means that before the universe was 13.7 billion years old it was already massive in size, and if you add inflation and exponential growth it adds even more size. Mathematics shows that even simple huge models are infinite in size. This means that if a model is infinite, for it to be truly infinite it would have to be infinite indefinitely before and after the big bang. For it to be infinite before the big bang it would have had to be born infinite. Wright states that this is logical and mathematics can simply prove it (Wright). For those of you who wish to explore the mathematics behind Wrights theory please visit: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmo_02.htm.

In my opinion the question whether the universe is finite or infinite remains a mystery. We examined two different theories—both theories claim to be true; however, neither can ultimately be proven. This is the problem with this question. Man is a mere observer to the universe. Although we have been to space, and even to the moon, we have but faintly scratched the surface of the universe. Infinite or not, we are but a spec in a large painting.

In conclusion, until man can travel through the universe and explore space and its wonders more clearly, I don’t think we will ever have a definite answer on whether or not the universe is infinite. As we have discussed in class our perception determines our opinion. You either believe one way or the other. Maybe we will never truly know the answer. Nonetheless, our imaginations and curiosity will continue to set sail our ships in the voyage of discovery.

Works Cited.

Crichton-Miller, Emma. "Infinite Space." New Statesman 142.5171 (2013): 46. Academic

Search Complete. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.

Fuller, John.  "Does time change speed?"  27 May 2008.  HowStuffWorks.com

Geftner, Amanda. "The cosmic mollusc." New Scientist magazine. 16 02 2008: 46. Web. 20 Sep.

2013.

Hincks, Adam D. "Wonders of the universe: new scientific discoveries and old

truths."America 16 Apr. 2012: 10+. U.S. History In Context. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.

Wright, Edward. "The infinite cosmos?" Astronomy Nov. 2012: 57. Science In Context. Web. 19

Sept. 2013.

How comfortable are you with the idea of infinity?

The concept of the infinite is a potentially daunting idea. We can often approach it in a very analytical fashion and speculate on it's theoretical implications without allowing the idea to really "hit home" emotionally.  If, on the other hand, we consider our own existence in a context of infinite time and space - if we really think about it, we run the risk of dissolving the comfortable sense of reality we call home.  After all, who among us can really integrate the idea of infinity into practical, daily life?      

One of your assigned readings (The Art of Infinity by Robert Huddleston) began with the contrasting emotional reactions of two 17th century characters when they considered the notion that the universe may be infinite ins size.  The first person, (Blaise Pascal),  finds the idea frightening. He says:

When I consider the short duration of my life, swallowed up in the eternity before and after, the little space which I fill . . . engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I am ignorant and which know me not, I am frightened, and am astonished at being here rather than there. 

Nevertheless, the second person, a fictional character created by author Bernard le Bovier de Fontanelle in 1686, has a very different reaction:

I feel entirely at ease.  When the sky was only a blue vault, with the stars nailed to it, the universe seemed small and narrow to me; I felt oppressed by it. Now that they've given infinitely greater breadth and depth to this vault . . . it seems to me that I breath more freely, that I'm in a larger atmosphere, and certainly the universe has a greater magnificence. 

How do YOU feel?  If you consider the infinite as a reality that is not "just" and abstract idea, are you comfortable with it?  Are you "astonished at being here rather than there"?  Do you find the notion of infinite space and time threatening at any level?   Or, do you identify more readily with the second example?  Does the proposition of a finite universe, regardless of how vast, make you feel confined or somehow disappointed?  Just the idea that musical possibilities were somehow finite was enough to send John Stuart Mill into depression - even if, in all practicality, the possibilities of music are virtually endless.  Or does it seem that, in the end, Fontanelle's confident character just doesn't get it?

Is infinity comfortable for you?


 

Manifestations of Infinity

   During the second meeting of Infinity and Beyond, each of us discussed what we believe is our two best manifestations of infinity. Some had unique perspectives and some had similar perspectives on their belief of infinity. First, our professors defined manifestation as, “an event, action or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or abstract idea.” Second, each of us had to explain our justifications of why we chose a specific manifestation to be infinite. We listened to each others ideas and discussed our perspectives to figure out if our manifestations could really be infinite or not. Towards the end of class, our perspectives have broadened to another level, maybe knowing something being infinite had to or doesn't have be a known unknown. It seems infinity had to be an indefinite manifestation that can be difficult to be put into words because some of the manifestations are so strong that there were no definite objections against it being infinite, (e.g., Time in the Present Tense, Reflection of Two Mirrors, Cycle of Life, Energy, Mobius Strip, Droste: Picture within a picture, Penrose Staircase). It will be interesting to see what type of categories we can create for these examples of infinity.