The Bizarre Shape of the Universe - Exploring Topology and Geometry in Cosmology

Explore the fascinating concept of the universe's shape in this 19-minute video. Delve into topology, distinguishing between local and global geometry, and examine various possible universal structures, including flat geometries and torus-like configurations. Learn about the challenges of living in different 3D topologies and discover how scientists search for closed loops in the cosmos. Gain insights from recent COMPACT research shedding new light on the universe's bizarre shape, offering a mind-bending journey through the frontiers of cosmology and theoretical physics.

0:00- what is the shape of the universe?
1:09- what is topology?
3:16- topology vs geometry
3:47- the local geometry of the universe
5:47- the global geometry of the universe
8:46- topologies with flat geometry
10:22- life on a 2D torus
12:34- life in a 3D torus
13:13- life in other 3D topologies
13:34- searching for closed loops in the universe
14:58- new research by COMPACT sheds light on the shape of the universe