The concept of space has intrigued humanity for centuries, and as our understanding of the universe has advanced, so too has our comprehension of the nature of space itself. One of the most fascinating aspects of this exploration is the idea of the curvature of space, a notion that challenges our intuitive understanding of the world around us – unraveling its significance in the fabric of the cosmos and the profound implications it holds for our comprehension of the universe.

Every observer in the universe sees the observable universe around him as an expanding sphere, approximately 93 light-years in diameter. Assuming the universe is isotropic, the distance to the edge of the observable universe is roughly the same in every direction. That is, the observable universe has a spherical volume (a ball) centered on the observer. Every location in the universe has its own observable universe, which may or may not overlap with the one centered on Earth. The radius of the observable universe is therefore estimated to be about 46.5 billion light-years and its diameter about 28.5 gigaparsecs (93 billion light-years).

In the realm of physics, space is not the empty void it may appear to be. Instead, it is a dynamic and flexible fabric, capable of bending and warping in response to the presence of matter and energy. The curvature of space is a fundamental concept in Einstein’s general theory of relativity, where gravity is described not as a force between masses but as the warping of the spacetime continuum. Picture a massive object, like a planet or a star, placed on a two-dimensional rubber sheet representing spacetime. The object creates a depression, causing the sheet to curve around it. Now, imagine smaller objects placed on this curved surface. They will follow curved paths dictated by the shape of the sheet, mimicking the gravitational influence of the massive object. This visual metaphor Illustrates how mass and energy distort the fabric of space, giving rise to what we perceive as gravitational forces.

Space curvature comes in three primary forms: positive curvature, negative curvature, and flat curvature. Positive curvature is akin to the surface of a sphere, where parallel lines eventually converge. Negative curvature is like a saddle shape, with parallel lines diverging. Flat curvature, on the other hand, corresponds to a flat, Euclidean geometry, where parallel lines remain parallel. The type of curvature experienced in a particular region of space depends on the distribution of matter and energy within that region.

The curvature of space is a captivating concept that has transformed our understanding of gravity and the fabric of the cosmos. From the warping of spacetime around massive celestial bodies to the cosmic curvature of the entire universe, this phenomenon has profound implications for both the theoretical underpinnings of physics and our practical understanding of the universe. As we continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge, the exploration of space curvature promises to unveil even more secrets about the nature of our existence within the vast cosmic tapestry.

The observable universe is a ball-shaped region of the universe comprising all matter that can be observed from Earth or its space-based telescopes and exploratory probes at the present time; the electromagnetic radiation from these objects has had time to reach the Solar System and Earth since the beginning of the cosmological expansion.

In Surah AR RAHMAAN (THE MERCIFUL): AYAT 33 (QURAN 55:33) –  Allah (swt) says – O society of jinn and humans! If you can escape the diameters of the heavens and the earth, go ahead and escape. But you will not escape except with authorization. “Aktar أَقْطَارِ” means diameters in Arabic.

Diameter is strictly a property of circles or spheres. Modern age scientist /  astronomers /  theoretical physicists have now determined that the observable universe is a sphere. This was only known recently; however, the Quran 1400 years ago mentions this fact. Truly amazing signs for those that ponder!