Science & Technology

The idea of a parallel universe – another universe that runs alongside our own – has fascinated mankind. It has sparked “what if” questions for centuries. These questions have played a big part in science fiction, from Star Trek to H.G. Wells books. Could more than one universe exist?

A Parallel Universe is Found?

The internet was recently filled with reports that a NASA project may have found proof of a parallel universe. Scientists were working on the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment. They used a high-altitude helium balloon with radio antennas in Antarctica. The antennae detected particles that defied the laws of physics. These particles were tau neutrinos, which are coming “up” out of Earth. The media said this was evidence of a parallel universe.

The group of scientists has been talking about these weird events since 2016, and nobody knows why they are happening. Perhaps Antarctica’s ice is making these ghostly particles. Or it could be a new brand of physics.

Ron Ekers from Australia’s national science agency said:

“The unusual ANITA events have been known and discussed since 2016. After four years, there has been no satisfactory explanation of the anomalous events seen by ANITA so this is very frustrating, especially to those involved.”

The experts say “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” but does this mean we should dismiss the parallel universe theory? Not quite.

Multiverse

Science has three main types of a parallel universe theory: higher dimensions, multiverse, and the many-worlds idea. In another universe, it could be that up is down and left is right. In a higher dimension, species might be able to disappear and reappear whenever they want. Or, there might be another world with another you, except your life is entirely different!

For now, it is impossible to detect multiple dimensions or even another universe. However, there may be some proof that our universe bumped into another one. In 2013, the European Space Agency found a “Cold Spot” that is 1.8 billion light-years across and 0.00015 degrees colder than everywhere else. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is an important discovery. So, what happened? It might be a scar from an accident between two universes, which could have transferred some energy.

In the end, even if the headlines got part of the story wrong, it does not mean the concept should be dismissed. Scientists may one day discover a universe where everything is in reverse.