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Astrophysics/Shape of the Universe
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Question
Dear Expert Nelson:
I am not sure if my question, is in your area of speciality, but I wanted to know what the shape of the
universe is? Does it even have a shape? Is the shape
changing, expanding, or contracting etc?
We know the shape of the Earth, but what about our solar system, galaxy, universe?
Thank you for your time, input, and service.
I hope you like my question.
I am sorry if the question sounds too silly or trivial.
The shape of the universe is unknown and may have no conventional meaning according to some theorists. We do know it is expanding at an accelerating rate. Because we can observe our galaxy, we know that we live in a spiral galaxy. Our Solar system is roughly disk-like, with most of the planets orbiting in somewhat the same plane around the Sun.
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Steve Nelson
Expertise
Fusion, solar flares, cosmic rays, radiation in space, and stellar physics questions. Generally, nuclear-related astrophysics, but I can usually point you in the right direction if it's not nuclear-related or if it's nuclear but not astrophysics.
Experience
Currently a physics professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Doctoral dissertation was on a reaction in CNO-cycle fusion, worked in gamma-ray astronomy in the space science division of the naval research laboratory in the high-energy space environment branch.
Organizations
Physics professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in physics, research was on nuclear fusion reactions important in stellar fusion.
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