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| Figure 1. Sample illustration of a parallel universe (BBC) |
We may ask ourselves, are we the only universe out there? As far as what we
know right now, the chances of there being multiple universes in this vast,
dark, almost infinite space are higher than we imagine. There has been many
theories and discoveries in physics and astronomy that have opened up a
world of possibilities as to whatever lies beyond the concept of the
universe we currently know. In the recent years, there is an influx of new
information from NASA and various scientists regarding this mystery. Thus,
in this blog, I will take you to an adventure among the ideas, insights,
facts, predictions, and everything about the hypothetical group of universes
that contain everything that exists — in simpler terms, a journey into a
"multiverse".
To start, the foundations of this so-called multiverse came
from two key concepts: Einstein's general theory of relativity and Erwin
Schrodinger's discovery of the use of quantum mechanics. These are two of the most highly acknowledged theories in regards with topics about the universe.
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| Figure 2. Theory of General Relativity (SciTech) Figure 3. Sample of Schrodinger's Cat (TedEd) |
Quantum
mechanics, on the other hand, define a calculation as a unitary
transformation without using a postulate of collapse, and defines observers
as ordinary quantum-mechanical structures. Many of us are familiar of the
paradox "Schrodinger's Cat". As for me, when I first encountered this thought experiment, I was incredibly amazed but at the same time
puzzled as I soon as I fully understood its principles. Essentially, the
example of how the cat in the box can be both dead and alive at the same
time illustrates the application of basic quantum mechanics to everyday
objects. In large scales, however, like in the universe, it may explain how a world of microscopic atoms and sub-atomic particles interact with one another can produce alternative outcomes, and so demands the possibility of parallel universes.
Now, how are these complex sciences relevant to the idea of multiple universes? It is quite obvious that the main ideas of these two theories are definitely contrasting. While one is trying to explain and describe the universe in large curves, the other is focused on the concept of small, subatomic particles. Trying to understand and analyze these two may be very hard since they're out of the ordinary, but even the most basic explanations can lead to a whole new range of information. In the end, there is one such theory that will make up for the difficulties and differences. It all comes down to the introduction of the "string" theory.
According to theoretical physicist Brian Greene (2011), Einstein's relativity theory does a great job to explain major things, while quantum mechanics is good for the other end of the continuum — for small things. The major problem is that each principle is perfect for each field, but they're vicious antagonists when they meet each other, and the mathematics falls apart. But in the end, it all ultimately comes down to one thing - the key to understanding these multiverses and to connect these two contrasting ideas is the "string theory". Yeah, I know that it's really getting complicated with all these bunch of theories, different opinions and such. When I first went through watching videos and reading articles about the concept of multiple universes, I was also initially confused but although we're only at the tip of the iceberg for now, there are lots more to come and it'll only get more and more interesting.
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| Figure 4. Illustration of the string theory (UOP) |
Basically, the string theory smoothens out the already known mathematical contradictions of quantum mechanics and relativity theory. It suggests that the entire universe can be described in terms of really, really tiny strings that vibrate in 10 or 11 dimensions — that is, dimensions that we can not see. If it existed, it may actually describe everything in the universe-from subatomic particles to speed and gravity laws. To think that not one, not two, but probably 10 different versions of the universe are all made up of small strings, isn't that amazing? Maybe in the other ones, I may be a girl, or I may have become a world-renowned singer! Just having the thought of myself being in several worlds living opposite lives is just very, very fascinating.
Lots of experiments have been conducted recently to either debunk or prove the existence of a multiverse but none are enough to do so. But still, there have been new discoveries and observations which led to advancements in our knowledge of how multiple universes came about. Take this YouTube video below as an example, wherein it described how NASA detected mysterious particles that may pose as proof of the theory.
Video 1. NASA Just Discovered a Parallel Universe? (Mr. Scientific)
To sum up the video, in 2016, scientists started an experiment using a radio telescope attached to a giant balloon. As this balloon hovered over Antarctica, several high-energy particles called "neutrinos" were observed. Such particles typically come from deep space, and strike our planet's surface directly. But neutrinos were coming from within the Earth instead of coming from outer space. Antarctica has no source of neutrinos and we are not sure where they come from. Some people thought it could be a place from a parallel universe in which time runs backwards causing neutrinos to come from inside the Earth but that's only a hypothesis without any proof.
Although it's just a groundless theory of some unknown particles, I still believe that there's a lot more like this that are still yet to come and in the future they will all contribute to the development of a specific conclusion as to explain whether or not the universe is just an immensely huge dark space or is it made up of different dimensions in and of itself. As for me, I'm always striving to learn new information on physics and cosmology each and every day, and so therefore I'm very much looking forward to the endless possibilities that may be brought by the whole existence of different dimensions of the universe. We may assume someday we can travel through the universes and meet literal copies of ourselves, or we may discover new cutting-edge technologies from them that may improve our quality of life.
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| Figure 5. The principle of a parallel universe (Chabad) |
All in all, what we 're trying to talk about is not only our universe but perhaps other universes — but all within a rational framework that helps us to make some definitive claims. It's just extremely thrilling for us to step outside of our daily lives and really look at the universe, in these absolute terms, on its largest scales. As far as we're concerned, it is not an illusion as we're getting nearer and nearer to a final conclusion; this ideal multiverse is already within our reach. We're aiming to go beyond our limits, beyond the concept of existence we currently believe in.
References:
Steven Hawking (1983) "The Quantum Mechanics of the Universe"
NPR (2011) "A Physicist Explains Why Parallel Universes May Exist"
Ethan Siegel (2019) "This Is Why The Multiverse Must Exist"
Robert Lawrence Kuhn (2015) "Confronting the Universe: What 'Infinite Universes' Would Mean"
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