Scientists say our Universe may be donut-shaped

The universe, akin to a doughnut in shape, could hold the key to a long-standing enigma concerning the dispersion of ancient light across the cosmos. While initial studies seemed to rule out this possibility, a group of physicists, led by Glenn Starkman from Case Western Reserve University, suggests that the shape of the universe may in fact be as complex as that of a doughnut. This is prepared by SSP.

Examining the contours of the universe holds significant importance, primarily due to solving a challenging puzzle about the cosmic microwave background - the ancient light disseminated throughout space. Several features of this light imply that space is not uniform in all directions, and this asymmetry poses one of the most intriguing mysteries about the universe.

The distinction between simple and complex shapes sheds light on this subject. Simple shapes, also known as "trivial" shapes, allow for the shrinking of any closed loop to a single point. For instance, a sphere, such as the Earth, possesses a simple shape, as any loop along its equator can be compressed to a point by shifting the trip to the North Pole. Conversely, a doughnut exhibits a complex shape since certain loops around its hole cannot be squashed into a single point due to the obstructing presence of the hole. By comparison, the universe is generally considered to have a simpler shape, with likenesses to a sphere rather than a doughnut.

Intriguingly, scientists have long desired to put this belief to the test. The possibility that the cosmos possesses a complex shape fascinates cosmologists but also offers the exciting prospect of measurement. Detecting looping in space, similar to the Pac-Man screen, would indicate a convoluted existence in the universe. To explore this, researchers have scrutinized the cosmic microwave background for comparable patterns in different regions of the sky, respectively searching for both concordant circles and subtle resemblances.

While concrete proof of looping space is currently lacking, Starkman's team asserts that there remains potential for the universe's topology to be complex. This arises from the existence of various complex shapes that previous investigations failed to consider in their evaluations.

One such intricate shape is a looping cube referred to as a 3-torus, replicating the characteristics of a 3D Pac-Man screen. Despite unsuccessful attempts to ascertain whether the universe is a 3-torus, no investigation has yet explored the prospect of the cosmos existing within a twisted cosmic cube. In the latter scenario, exiting the cube vertically would return one to the bottom, albeit upside-down.

The recent study explored 17 potential complex shapes of the cosmos, and intriguingly, researchers discovered that most of them remain plausible candidates. Pinpointing features within the cosmic microwave background that reveal which shape the universe may possess necessitates significant computational resources, and machine learning presents a potential means to expedite these calculations.

Furthermore, researchers are not solely focused on the cosmic microwave background as an informative source. The distribution of galaxies across the expanse of space might offer valuable insights as well. The data collected by the European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope holds potential for further exploration, prompting Starkman's team to analyze these observations for new avenues of investigation.