From what i understand, one argument for a flat universe is the fact that the sum of the angles of a cosmic triangle is more or less equal to 180 degrees. What i don’t understand is how we calculate the angles. Most of what I’ve read online state that since we can measure the 3 sides of the cosmic triangle, we can use trigonometry to calculate the angles. But doesn’t the fact that we are using trigonometry to calculate the angles already presume the universe is flat rather than proofs it?
In: Planetary Science
There are two main tests we can do to observe the curvature of the universe.
1. The angular size of the temperature fluctuations that appear in the CMB (Cosmic Microwave Background), which is the remnant radiation of the Big Bang. The fluctuations have a particular spectrum between colder and hotter on specific distance scales (which changes depending on the curvature of the universe). We can observe which scale it follows.
2. The angular separations between galaxies that cluster at different epochs throughout the universe. This one I’m not as familiar with, but I think there’s also a specific distance scale that varies according to the curvature of the universe.
According to these two tests, there is a highly likely probability that the universe is flat. Of course, it’s possible that what we’ve tested is actually at a tiny scale compared to a gigantic spherical universe, making its surface appear flat. It’s just that according to what we can currently observe right now, the universe is flat.
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