Theoretical
physics has brought us the notion that our single universe is not necessarily the only game in town. Satellite data from WMAP, along with string theory and its 11- dimensional hyperspace idea has produced the concept of the multiverse, where the Big Bang could have produced many different universes instead of a single uniform universe. The idea has gained popularity recently, so it was only a matter of time until someone asked the question of how many multiverses could possibly exist. The number, according to two physicists, could be "humongous."
Multiverse
The
multiverse (or
meta-universe [metaverse]) is the hypothetical set of multiple possible
universes (including our universe) that together comprise everything that
physically exists: the entirety of
space and
time, all forms of
matter,
energy and
momentum, and the
physical laws and
constants that govern them. The different universes within the multiverse are sometimes called
parallel universes. The structure of the multiverse, the nature of each universe within it and the relationship between the various constituent universes, depend on the specific multiverse hypothesis considered.
From Universe to Multiverse. Are You Ready? (Dr. Michio Kaku)
Physicists Calculate Number of Universes in the Multiverse
The Big Bang was essentially a quantum process which generated quantum fluctuations in the state of the early universe. The universe then underwent a period of rapid growth called inflation during which these perturbations were "frozen", creating different initial classical conditions in different parts of the cosmos. Since each of these regions would have a different set of laws of low energy physics, they can be thought of as different universes.
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Of course, the actual number depends critically on how you define the difference between universes.Linde and Vanchurin have applied some reasonable rules to calculate that the number of universes in the multiverse and have totted it up to at least 10^10^10^7. A "humungous" number is how they describe it, with no little understatement.
- If We Live in a Multiverse, How Many Are There? | Universe Today
- Multiverse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- YouTube - From Universe to Multiverse. Are You Ready? (Dr. Michio Kaku)
- Technology Review: Blogs: arXiv blog: Physicists Calculate Number of Universes in the Multiverse
Related:- [0910.1589] How many universes are in the multiverse?
- BBC - Science & Nature - Horizon - Parallel Universes - Transcript
- http://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/multiverse.html
