The Topology of the Universe

by Prof. Glenn Starkman (Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA))

Monday 9 Mar 2026, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Rome

1/1-2 - Aula "C. Voci" (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia - Edificio Marzolo)

In cosmology kindergarten we are taught that the Universe is either flat and infinite, negatively curved ("open") and infinite, or positively curved ("closed") and finite; besides, while we may look for evidence of curvature, inflation almost certainly erased it. Yet, as soon as we start talking about extra dimensions, we are delighted to learn about the riches of  geometry and topology, and to study their consequences.  In actuality, the possibilities for the local geometry (metric) of our Universe and its topology are far richer than the three-item menu we are usually offered.  I will discuss the ongoing work of the COMPACT collaboration to conduct the broadest possible search for cosmic topology and therefore to understand the implications of topology for the early and late Universe and for all relevant cosmological observables.