closed universe

closed universe

n.

A model of the universe in which there is sufficient matter, and thus gravitational force, to halt the expansion initiated by the big bang.

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closed universe

A model of the universe in which the curvature of space is roughly spherical, entailing that the universe has finite size. An object moving in a straight line in a closed universe would eventually return to its starting point. According to most current cosmological theories, the universe is closed if it is sufficiently dense, and therefore possesses enough gravitational force to stop or reverse the expansion started by the big bang (resulting in what is called the big crunch). Compare open universe. See Note at big bang.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

closed universe - (cosmology) a universe that is spatially closed and in which there is sufficient matter to halt the expansion that began with the big bang; the visible matter is only 10 percent of the matter required for closure but there may be large amounts of dark matter cosmogeny, cosmogony, cosmology - the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe cosmos, macrocosm, universe, world, existence, creation - everything that exists anywhere; "they study the evolution of the universe"; "the biggest tree in existence"