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WASHINGTON — By some estimation , the known universe may contain as many as 2 trillion galaxies , with the average galaxy holding approximately 100 million wizard and untold number of planets . But could there be multiple copies of the entire existence as we understand it ?

The construct ofa multiverse — universe that invisibly coexist alongside us , perhaps representing version of reality that are near - identical to our own — is a pervasive approximation in sci - fi , and one that has intrigue genesis of physicist as well as skill - fable Creator and rooter .

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Stop the worlds, I want to get off.

While scientist have yet to witness any evidence that multiverses subsist , there are a number of conjecture that use the laws of physics to research the opening of multiple cosmos , sometimes challenging our understandingof reality itselfin the process , Erin Macdonald , astrophysicist , engineer and self - exalt " monolithic sci - fi nerd , " explicate during a panel on Saturday ( June 17 ) at Future Con , a fete that highlighted the carrefour between science , technology and science fable in Washington , D.C. [ Top 5 Reasons We May Live in a Multiverse ]

Our universe exists within the fabric ofspace - time — 3D space combined with time , to make a 4D continuum , explained Macdonald . But scientists ca n’t say for certain what space - time looks like , which means it might hold unnumerable universe that are unseeable to us , she said .

The simplest edition of the multiverse conception is the so - calledmirror world , in which a single alternate universe tight parallels ours , but is also its opposite — such as the " Mirror , Mirror " episode of the original " Star Trek " telecasting serial , in which a landing place party erroneously beams up to a unlike version of the endeavor , occupied by more cruel versions of their familiar crewmates .

Erin Macdonald at the Future Con panel titled “Parallel and Multi-Universe Theory in Sci-Fi."

Erin Macdonald at the Future Con panel titled “Parallel and Multi-Universe Theory in Sci-Fi."

Another perspective on the multiverse is thebrane universe , which describes our universe as one membrane in a vast , possibly infinite good deal of membrane universe , but with no connection or means to pass between them , Macdonald said .

Multiple universes might also subsist within contained bubble of space - time , a concept search in the picture game " Bioshock Infinite . " By this numeration , inhabitants of two macrocosm could theoretically interact should their " bubble " connect to each other directly , according to Macdonald .

Quantum universesappear more commonly in sci - fi , Macdonald said . This idea suggest that every decision a person makes spawns a Modern timeline , create a novel and self - contained universe that follow a different way of life . skill - fable writers craftingtime - travel storiesfrequently invoke the rule of quantum universes to explicate how grapheme can move around to the past and not erase their own existence — their every choice deliver new macrocosm whole , go forth the universe that was their stemma entire .

A photo collage of hundreds of exoplanets

But perhaps the most disturbing premise of all is whether the macrocosm we perceive as real is , in fact , a pretence of some variety , as in the film " The Matrix . "

" Would you want to acknowledge if you were a pretending , but had no restraint ? Could we test if we were in a simulation if we were all just code ? " Macdonald asked the interview . For now , plenty of question remain unanswered — about multiple universes and the reality of our own , she said .

" None of these can be proven — but they ’re fun to think about , " Macdonald said .

Illustration of a black hole jet.

Original article onLive skill .

Galaxies observed by the JWST with those rotating one way circled in red, those rotating the other way circled in blue

This illustration shows a glowing stream of material from a star as it is being devoured by a supermassive black hole in a tidal disruption flare.

An illustration of a black hole churning spacetime around it

an illustration of the Milky Way in the center of a blue cloud of gas

an illustration of the universe expanding and shrinking in bursts over time

An illustration of lightning striking in spake

an illustration of outer space with stars whizzing by

An artist�s interpretation of a white dwarf exploding while matter from another white dwarf falls onto it

On the left is part of a new half-sky image in which three wavelengths of light have been combined to highlight the Milky Way (purple) and cosmic microwave background (gray). On the right, a closeup of the Orion Nebula.

An image comparing the relative sizes of our solar system�s known dwarf planets, including the newly discovered 2017 OF201

an illustration showing a large disk of material around a star

a person holds a GLP-1 injector

A man with light skin and dark hair and beard leans back in a wooden boat, rowing with oars into the sea

an MRI scan of a brain

A photograph of two of Colossal�s genetically engineered wolves as pups.

An illustration of a hand that transforms into a strand of DNA