Bubble Universes
In addition to the multiple
universes created by infinitely extending space-time, other universes could
arise from a theory called "eternal inflation." Inflation is the
notion that the universe expanded rapidly after the Big Bang, in effect
inflating like a balloon. Eternal inflation, first proposed by Tufts University
cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, suggests that some pockets of space stop inflating,
while other regions continue to inflate, thus giving rise to many isolated
"bubble universes."
Thus, our own universe, where
inflation has ended, allowing stars and galaxies to form, is but a small bubble
in a vast sea of space, some of which is still inflating, that contains many
other bubbles like ours. And in some of these bubble universes, the laws of
physics and fundamental constants might be different than in ours, making some
universes strange places indeed.
Bubble Universes
In addition to the multiple universes created by infinitely extending space-time, other universes could arise from a theory called "eternal inflation." Inflation is the notion that the universe expanded rapidly after the Big Bang, in effect inflating like a balloon. Eternal inflation, first proposed by Tufts University cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, suggests that some pockets of space stop inflating, while other regions continue to inflate, thus giving rise to many isolated "bubble universes."
Thus, our own universe, where inflation has ended, allowing stars and galaxies to form, is but a small bubble in a vast sea of space, some of which is still inflating, that contains many other bubbles like ours. And in some of these bubble universes, the laws of physics and fundamental constants might be different than in ours, making some universes strange places indeed.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/18811-multiple-universes-5-theories.html#sthash.fsVwbUzT.dpuf
In addition to the multiple universes created by infinitely extending space-time, other universes could arise from a theory called "eternal inflation." Inflation is the notion that the universe expanded rapidly after the Big Bang, in effect inflating like a balloon. Eternal inflation, first proposed by Tufts University cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, suggests that some pockets of space stop inflating, while other regions continue to inflate, thus giving rise to many isolated "bubble universes."
Thus, our own universe, where inflation has ended, allowing stars and galaxies to form, is but a small bubble in a vast sea of space, some of which is still inflating, that contains many other bubbles like ours. And in some of these bubble universes, the laws of physics and fundamental constants might be different than in ours, making some universes strange places indeed.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/18811-multiple-universes-5-theories.html#sthash.fsVwbUzT.dpuf
Bubble Universes
In addition to the multiple universes created by infinitely extending space-time, other universes could arise from a theory called "eternal inflation." Inflation is the notion that the universe expanded rapidly after the Big Bang, in effect inflating like a balloon. Eternal inflation, first proposed by Tufts University cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, suggests that some pockets of space stop inflating, while other regions continue to inflate, thus giving rise to many isolated "bubble universes."
Thus, our own universe, where inflation has ended, allowing stars and galaxies to form, is but a small bubble in a vast sea of space, some of which is still inflating, that contains many other bubbles like ours. And in some of these bubble universes, the laws of physics and fundamental constants might be different than in ours, making some universes strange places indeed.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/18811-multiple-universes-5-theories.html#sthash.fsVwbUzT.dpuf
In addition to the multiple universes created by infinitely extending space-time, other universes could arise from a theory called "eternal inflation." Inflation is the notion that the universe expanded rapidly after the Big Bang, in effect inflating like a balloon. Eternal inflation, first proposed by Tufts University cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, suggests that some pockets of space stop inflating, while other regions continue to inflate, thus giving rise to many isolated "bubble universes."
Thus, our own universe, where inflation has ended, allowing stars and galaxies to form, is but a small bubble in a vast sea of space, some of which is still inflating, that contains many other bubbles like ours. And in some of these bubble universes, the laws of physics and fundamental constants might be different than in ours, making some universes strange places indeed.
- See more at: http://www.space.com/18811-multiple-universes-5-theories.html#sthash.fsVwbUzT.dpuf