We thought we knew the shape of the universe. We were wrong

image via New Scientist

March 27, 2026, 12:00 PM

• •The universe's shape isn't definitively known, and previous assumptions about its topology are being reconsidered.
• •The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is used to study the universe's shape, but new research challenges previous interpretations of the data.
• •The study suggests that the observable universe may not be the definitive factor in determining cosmic shape, opening possibilities for complex topologies.
• •New research by COMPACT team shows the minimum loop size can be smaller than previously assumed, which leads to rethinking the universe’s shape.

Cosmologists are reevaluating the shape of the universe, challenging the long-held belief that it is flat. New research suggests that the constraints on possible cosmic shapes are weaker than previously thought, opening the door to various topologies previously dismissed. This research implies that the universe might be far more complex and may require new methods to determine its true shape, changing how we think about the universe's past and future.

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