There are many mysteries concerning the origin of our universe, including whether there are other universes, as suggested by the multiverse theory proposed by the late physicist Stephen Hawking. One thing we do know is that our universe appears to be continuously expanding. Now researchers from Uppsala University have added to that finding; they now suggest that the universe is riding on an expanding bubble in an additional dimension.
Uppsala University researchers proposed this new model for the ever-expanding universe. Their theory also tackles the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to be the universe’s main components, although they are invisible. They published the findings from their study in the Physical Review Letters.
According to a news release about the study, the researchers used their knowledge about the universe’s accelerating expansion. The researchers suggest that the invisible dark energy which surrounds the universe is pushing it to expand. They also said that if scientists can one day understand the nature of dark energy, they will be able to understand the universe too, given that this is the most difficult-to-understand enigma of fundamental physics.
The researchers also focused on string theory, hoping it would yield some results in their research. String theory suggests that matter consists of small vibrating strings. However, the theory also says that more than three spatial dimensions are required for the theory to make sense.
Even though string theory has been studied for the last 15 years and many models have been proposed, there has been a lot of criticism about it. Many researchers have suggested that all the previous models of the universe and matter are unworkable. As a result, Uppsala researchers have now proposed that our universe is riding on an expanding bubble.
The new model described in the study proposes that the universe is riding on an expanding bubble in an additional dimension. The researchers suggest that the universe is situated on the edge of the expanding bubble. They also propose that the matter we see, touch and measure connects to the ends of the strings which extend into the additional dimension.
The researchers say their model can be used within the framework of string theory. To support the multiverse theory, the researchers say there could be more bubbles corresponding with other universes in the multiverse. The researchers believe their “new picture of the universe” may provide new methods of researching it and be used to test string theory.
Earlier this month, another study focused on the existence of dark matter and energy in the universe. Oxford University researcher Jamie Farnes conducted a study and published the results in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. Farnes proposed that dark matter is not exactly dark matter, but rather, a negative-mass fluid which fills up 95% of the universe’s space.
