The shape of the Universe
The shape of the universe is the local and global geometry of the universe . The local features of the geometry of the universe are primarily described by its curvature , whereas the topology of the universe describes general global properties of its shape as of a continuous object. The shape of the universe is related to general relativity , which describes how spacetime is curved and bent by mass and energy. Cosmologists distinguish between the observable universe and the global universe. The observable universe consists of the part of the universe that can, in principle, be observed by light reaching Earth within the age of the universe. It encompasses a region of space that currently forms a ball centered at Earth of estimated radius 46 billion light-years (4.4×10 26 m). This does not mean the universe is 46 billion years old; in fact, the universe is believed to be 1...