/sci/ - Science & Math

>>2638281
This suggests a way to figure out the curvature of the universe. All you need is a standard ruler. Take an object of known size and transport it a great distance away- halfway across the universe. Compare its apparent size to the size you expect it to be; if it looks smaller than you expect, then the universe is saddle shaped. If it s larger than you expect, then the universe has a positive curvature; it is shaped like a sphere. The only trick is to find that standard ruler.

That is exactly what Boomerang did. The fundamental hot spots in the cosmic microwave background are standard rulers. Theorists knew precisely how big these hot spots are supposed to be, based on how far light can travel in the 400,000 years between the big band and recombination. These hot spots are effectively blotches of known size on the most distant object that astronomers will ever see. Since they have a known size, these hot spots are standard rulers. If the universe was flat, theorists expected those blotches to be about one degree wide. If the universe was curved like s sphere, then those splotches would appear bigger than expected, maybe a degree and a half r two degrees across. If the universe was shaped like a saddle, the hot spot would appear smaller than expected, perhaps two thirds of a degree or half a degree wise.

>>2631054
>melt fucking antimatter
confirmed for not having any fucking clue as to what he is talking about