Wormholes are theoretical tunnels in spacetime that could connect two distant regions—either within the same universe or possibly between different universes. Also known as Einstein–Rosen bridges, they arise as solutions to Einstein’s general relativity equations.
In concept, a wormhole could allow for:
- Faster-than-light travel between distant stars or galaxies
- Time travel, under specific conditions, due to differences in time flow between the ends
- Connections between parallel universes or other dimensions
However, wormholes face serious theoretical challenges:
- They require exotic matter with negative energy density to remain stable and traversable, which hasn’t been observed in nature.
- They may be unstable, collapsing quickly before anything could pass through.
- No experimental or observational evidence for wormholes currently exists.
Despite these obstacles, wormholes are a popular topic in theoretical physics, science fiction, and cosmology, as they push the boundaries of our understanding of space, time, and gravity. They remain a fascinating possibility in the ongoing search for a deeper theory of the universe.