What is the Universe (definition, concept)

What is the Universe? The definition of this frequently used concept is not so simple. If you formulate extremely briefly: this is all that exists. However, such an answer to the question of what the Universe (definition) is, does not really explain anything. Therefore, we will dwell on it in more detail.

Two options

You can start with the fact that the concept of "the universe" is fundamental right away in the two largest sciences of all time: philosophy and astronomy. In general, the similar meanings of the word have a fundamental difference. In the first case, the universe is understood as a speculative structure, in the second, material. Strictly speaking, the detailed definition of "the universe is ..." is absent both in philosophy and in astronomy. At the same time, every research, physical or mental, has an element of the Universe as an object.

Different sciences are engaged in observing different parts of the whole, referred to as the Universe. All its attempts to embrace cosmology and astronomy. It is from the point of view of these sciences that this article will answer the question of what the universe is, the definition of a concept as an aggregate of space and time, existing forms of matter, and laws governing them.

In the depths of centuries

If we turn to history, the first hypotheses on this topic arose even in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Representations, which can be called scientific, appeared in the period of antiquity. The main thing was the definition: the Universe is an eternally existing structure, in the center of which is the Earth. Around it orbits, according to the ideas of Aristotle, Ptolemy and Pythagoras, the planets revolve, including the Sun. Next to other objects from the Earth are stars, also revolving around the center of the universe.

Serious revision of this picture of the world was only after the appearance of the works of Copernicus and Newton. There was a heliocentric model. Discoveries of galaxies and other cosmic objects and phenomena substantially supplemented the views of scientists about the universe. Today, the study of remote objects, the progressive development of methods of astronomy and cosmonautics have led to the emergence of a more or less clear understanding of the universe. However, the daily incoming data, often not fitting into existing theories, allow us to consider any definition of the word "Universe" as inconclusive.

Composition

The macrostructure of the universe can be described as a space having a sponge-like structure. The walls of this structure are formed by a huge number of galaxies. The distance between the neighboring ones is in most cases about a million light years.

The main elements of galaxies are stars, constantly revolving around a single center. The main substance that makes up the stars is hydrogen. Among other elements, it is the main one in our universe.

Was there a beginning?

The age of everything is not so simple a question as it may seem. In order to answer it, first we must accept the fact that the Universe did not exist forever. For a world accustomed to living on religious canons, it was hard to try with the theory of an infinite in time universe. Also after a while the scientific community got used to the idea that the appearance of the world was preceded by an event - it was too reminiscent of a biblical creation. However, weighty arguments have made the theory of the big bang, which everyone today has on hearing, leading in cosmology. It is there that describes the beginning of the universe. According to scientists, this was 13.7 billion years ago.

Big Bang

The current theory suggests that the time of the appearance of the universe was accompanied by a large explosion, and its origin is not described in theory. The colossal amount of energy was compressed to an incredibly small size and began to expand. In this case, the substance of the universe was heated to a tremendous temperature. Under such conditions, the first elementary particles began to form . One of the proofs of the theory is the relic background, radiation, the source of which was a large explosion. No hypotheses suggesting the eternal existence of the universe can explain it.

Future

The universe is expanding to this day. The existing models for describing this process do not converge in the main: in what will be the future of the whole system. There are probably two options:

• The universe will expand infinitely.
• At some point, the reverse process will begin, and everything will end with a lot of compression.

The list of possible options for the final also includes theoretically possible large freezing, thermal death and a large gap in the universe.

Curvature of space

Another problem that the Universe poses to scientists is the determination of its form. She still has not found a solution.

To date, it is not clear whether the space of the universe is flat. A positive answer to this question makes it possible to use Euclidean geometry in territories of cosmic scale. The overwhelming majority of researchers tend to believe that the space of the universe is really flat and has folds only in small areas.

Closed or not?

Another interesting point: according to the theory of a big bang, the universe does not have spatial boundaries as such, but it can be limited. Understanding this fact will become easier if you imagine a sphere: its surface has no boundaries, but is limited in area. Today there is no unambiguous understanding of the spatial structure of the universe. If it is similar to the same sphere, then theoretically the movement along a straight line in an arbitrary direction will sooner or later pass through the point of its origin.

A lot of things require careful research. Technical progress and scientific knowledge have not yet reached the level at which we can give an exhaustive answer to the question of what the universe is. The definition that exists in astronomy and cosmology today has a large number of gaps and needs clarification. However, the rapid development of technology and the frequent scientific discoveries of recent years make it possible to hope that soon many gaps in knowledge will be filled.