open universe

Also found in: Encyclopedia

0.01 sec.

open universe

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

open universe

Model of the universe in which the curvature of space is flat or curved away from itself, entailing that the size of the universe is infinite. According to this model, gravity between objects is not able to stop or reverse the expansion of the universe, thus objects continue to move farther and farther apart as space moves outward. An object moving in a straight line in an open universe would never return to its starting point. According to current cosmological theories, the universe is open if it is insufficiently dense. Such a universe will never end, but will eventually become very cold and dark because stars gradually lose all of their energy. Compare closed universe. See Note at big bang.

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback
Add definition

Mentioned in	?		References in periodicals archive	?		Dictionary browser	?		Full browser	?
big bang closed universe			An open universe would have no boundaries; it would keep going forever with no restrictions. Deuterium-hydrogen ratios in stars by Knoche, Phil / Journal of the Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Science Since God continuously creates as well as sustains the world, humans cannot know what potentialities and creative possibilities exist in an open universe. PRAYER MAKES A DIFFERENCE - I'd bet my life on it by CALLAHAN, SIDNEY / Commonweal Recent observations seem to favor such an open universe, which Adams and Laughlin adopt in their study. From here to eternity; tracking the future of the cosmos by Cowen, Ron / Science News			Open pipe open policy open position open primary open prison open punctuation open question open route open sandwich Open sea open season open secret open sentence open sesame open set open shop open sight open slather open society open space open spaces open stock open system open texture open unimproved wet space open universe Open University open up open verdict Open vowel open weave open-air open-air market open-air marketplace open-and-shut open-and-shut case open-angle glaucoma open-cast open-chain open-class word open-collared open-cut mining open-door open-door policy open-end open-end credit open-end fund open-end investment company open-end trust open-end wrench open-ended			Open Training and Education Network Open Training Platform Open Transaction Environment Open Transaction Manager Access Open Translation Engine Open Transport Open Transport Open Transport Network Open Transport Service Open Transport Tycoon Deluxe Open Transport/Point-To-Point Protocol Open Travel Data Access Protocol open traverse Open Treaties open triangular region open tuberculosis open tuberculosis open tuberculosis Open Tubular Capillary Electro-Chromatography open tubular column Open Tubular Liquid Chromatography Open Two Seater Open Type Open Type Fonts Open Type Organizer Open Uniform Resource Locator open unimproved wet space open universe Open Universiteit Open Universiteit Nederland Open Universities Australia Open University Open University Open University Open University (UK) Open University (UK) Open University and Continuing Education Open University Awarding Body Open University Business School Open University Careers Advisory Service Open University Centre for Education in Medicine Open University Chemistry Society Open University Computer Username Open University Degree Programme Open University Geological Society Open University in Wales Open University in Wales Open University Law Society Open University of British Columbia Open University of Cyprus Open University of Hong Kong Open University of Kaohsiung Open University of Malaysia Open University of Sri Lanka Open University of the Netherlands Open University of the United Kingdom

Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.