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A circumscribed Universe

Author

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  • Masataka Fukugita

    (Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo
    Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton)

Abstract

It would be hard to argue with Douglas Adams's statement, in The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, that “Space is big”. But it may be a lot smaller than we thought. Evidence had come from the cosmic microwave background that the Universe is infinite, or at least not small compared with the distance we can see; but two astrophysicists have realized that this doesn't hold if the Universe has a low density. Such a so-called ‘open’ Universe can nevertheless be wrapped round on itself, allowing us to look at the back of our own heads, so to speak. We could soon find out for sure, as the scheduled satellites MAP and PLANCK search the microwave sky for identical rings.

Suggested Citation

  • Masataka Fukugita, 1998. "A circumscribed Universe," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6671), pages 24-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:392:y:1998:i:6671:d:10.1038_32053
    DOI: 10.1038/32053
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