What is a Wormhole?
A wormhole is a theoretical passage
through space-time that could create shortcuts for long journeys across the
universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general relativity. But be
wary: wormholes bring with them the dangers of sudden collapse, high radiation
and dangerous contact with exotic matter.
Wormhole theory
In 1935, physicists Albert
Einstein and Nathan Rosen used the theory of general relativity to propose the
existence of "bridges" through space-time. These paths, called
Einstein-Rosen bridges or wormholes, connect two different points in
space-time, theoretically creating a shortcut that could reduce travel time and
distance.
Wormholes contain two mouths, with a
throat connecting the two. The mouths would most likely be spheroidal. The
throat might be a straight stretch, but it could also wind around, taking a
longer path than a more conventional route might require.
Einstein's theory of general
relativity mathematically predicts the existence of wormholes, but none have
been discovered to date. A negative mass wormhole might be spotted by the way
its gravity affects light that passes by.
Certain solutions of general
relativity allow for the existence of wormholes where the mouth of each is
a black hole. However, a naturally occurring black
hole, formed by the collapse of a dying star, does not by itself create a
wormhole.