Final Scientific Paper by Stephen Hawking Sheds Light on the Existence of a Parallel Universe

Stephen Hawking was a brilliant mind. Even with his death at the prime old age of 76, he leaves behind a legacy that is hard to replicate.

His last paper entitled “A Smooth Exit from Eternal Inflation” goes at length to explain the existence of parallel universes. The mathematical paper makes arguments that try to prove the multiverse theory, which proposes that other universes may exist right along with this one.

The brilliance of Stephen Hawking cannot be downplayed. He has made major contributions to helping scientists understand the universe better

Incredibly, the paper had revisions approved on March 4, just 10 days before the death of Hawking. Thomas Hertog, who co-wrote the paper with Hawking, explains that the project’s goal was to transform the multiverse idea into testable scientific framework. Hertog’s interaction with Hawking allowed him to develop a close relationship with the brilliant scientist. Due to their closeness, he made sure that Hawking approved of every nitty gritty in the project.

The Details

In the paper, mathematical calculations show that a space probe is necessary to gather evidence about the existence of a parallel universe.

According to the Hertog and Hawking’s research paper, the argument is that a multiverse should be quantifiable through background radiation that dates as far back to the conception of the universe. The paper proposes that this radiation should be measurable using a deep space probe fitted with good sensors.

Should the paper pan out as described by the two scientists, Hawking and Hertog, they are more than likely to win a Nobel Prize. However, as the Nobel rules stipulate, the award can never be awarded posthumously, Hawking will not be eligible. Since the parallel universe concept is quite hard to prove, it will probably take numerous years before the concept is accepted. That may be the prime reason why Hawking with all his brilliance, never actually managed to win a Nobel Prize during his life.

Despite Hawking’s thought-provoking papers, he has never managed to bag a Nobel Prize which would have inevitably cemented his legacy with the likes of Albert Einstein

In the realm of theoretical physics, most theories are hard to prove. While most of Stephen Hawking’s theories made absolute sense from a scientific and mathematical viewpoint, they are quite impossible to prove, even with the current technology. In order for the Nobel Prize to be awarded by the committee, theories need to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

What the paper says

Over his complex life, the enigma that was Stephen Hawking penned down quite a number papers. Most divulged into similar dogmas regarding the universe; however, none received such worldwide attention as his last. The paper drives deep into the theory of the multiverse, a great timeless expansion unbound by the constraints of space and time; having numerous universes existing simultaneously, but vastly spread from each other.

The theory further introduces us to the origin of the multiverse. According to Hawking, it arose from an occurrence known as inflation. Within fractions of a second of the universe coming into being, space-time began to expand exponentially. While it did, minute quantum instabilities became the norm of what is seen in different facets of the universe today. So, in a sense, this might be one of the features that have a cadence to Hawking’s theory.

Internal Inflation

One of the variations of Hawking and Hertog’s work known as internal inflation tackles the subject intently. It states that inflation is infinitely continuous in multiple places, but in some given patches, it ceases. Where it halts, is where universes are inevitably birthed; the one you live in, as well as many others, in a never-ending process.

Interestingly, the laws of physics seem to be unique to each universe. Hence, some of the constants scientists like to have a field day with such as the speed of light, could vary greatly in each of them.

Hawking’s final paper is an interesting read that might help scientists in the future unlock the mind-blowing potential of the universe

However, the theory of infinite universes poses a complex hurdle to maneuver for most physicists. In fact, one of the most monumental questions that scientists have been pondering for decades is this; why does the universe appear the way it does? And secondly, why is the speed of light specifically 186,282 miles per second?

Determining the probabilities of the way the universe appears might be one way to go about the matter. However, determining probabilities relating to infinity is a futile endeavor.