Universe

See also Universe class and USS Universe.

A universe is all matter, energy, and space in a space-time continuum; e.g., the three dimensions of space governed by a fourth dimension of time.

History and specifics

Our universe is filled with large clusters of stars and other material, known as galaxies, which are grouped together and held in place by gravity. Other universe may be subjected to different laws of physics and thus, may-or may not-have similar characteristics to our own; the antimatter universe for example, is made of antimatter rather than matter. Fluidic space is much more dense, so much so that it does not have alternate timelines. (VOY - Myriad Universes - Infinity's Prism novella: Places of Exile; TOS episode: "The Alternative Factor")

A universe, such as our own, may feature alternate realities, these are generated every time an event generates multiple possible outcomes; each outcome is played out in a different timeline. These timelines collectively make up the entire universe. The terms "alternate universe" or "parallel universe" are sometimes also used to refer to alternate realities, however such usage is inaccurate; a universe is a distinct separate place, divided from other universes by higher dimensions, while an alternate reality is merely a different quantum facet of any one universe, with the same laws of physics, just different histories. (VOY - Myriad Universes - Infinity's Prism novella: Places of Exile)

Some well known examples of alternate history realities are the mirror universe, the Kelvin timeline, and anti-time phenomena which rewrites itself backwards compared to the normal flow of time. Connections through the mycelial network and other levels of quantum mechanics probability challenge the concept of knowing if the history of an observer was ever concretely a "primary universe", or if it is continuously changing in a fluid manner. Contact with the Federation Starfleet by the Travelers, the Prophets and the Q Continuum in the 24th century challenged Humans in particular to test their ability to perceive their place in the universe despite knowledge that time and reality is not immutable or linear, following the discovery of various time travel effects in the 22nd and 23rd centuries. (TOS episode & Star Trek 3 novelization: Mirror, Mirror; TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptation: Star Trek; Star Trek: Discovery; Star Trek: Enterprise; TNG episode & novelizations: Encounter at Farpoint, All Good Things; TNG episode: "Where No One Has Gone Before"; DS9 episode & novelizations: Emissary, What You Leave Behind; TOS novels: The Entropy Effect, The Wounded Sky)

History

By Stardate 1966.9, accepted theories postulated that the universe was almost 14 billion years old and 90 billion light-years wide. (PRM novel: Fire with Fire)

On Stardate 2135.9 the crew of the USS Enterprise was witness to an event the ship's science officer, Commander Spock, theorized to be similar to the conditions prior to the big bang. It was the result of an incursion of a new parallel universe into the existing universe.

When asked about it by Captain Kirk Commander Spock brought up a theory dating back to the 20th century that suggests a multiverse composed of an infinite number of layers, each 'membrane' occupying the same physical space but at different vibrational frequencies. According to this theory it was possible for two adjacent membranes to briefly synchronize with the resulting intersection giving birth to a new universe, but expunging a possible older universe that existed before.(TOS comic: "Mister Chekov")

It had been learned by the 24th century that certain laws of the universe are shaped not only by the will of its occupants, but also by the collective, sub-conscious memories and general acceptance (regarding its "realness") of it. (TNG episodes: "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Remember Me")

Modern logic cannot yet prove (or disprove) that the whole, known universe-thus reality itself-is comprised of even higher, more complex levels of existence. Astronomers, metaphysicists and philosophers throughout galactic history have all agreed these cosmic "strings" can be pulled and sensed under the right conditions. (TOS movie: The Motion Picture, TNG episode: "Where Silence Has Lease", DS9 episode: "Chrysalis")

Q, in private with Lwaxana Troi, used a fruit to describe the nature of the universe. After asking him if it was this simple, Q told the Betazoid he was taking a chance revealing this secret, as the Q Continuum forbade such knowledge to non-entities. He also said that as complex as the cosmos was to one such as herself, this was the only model Q could use that Lwaxana would nearly grasp. (TNG novel: Q-in-Law)

Science in 2370 analysed that the Gamma Quadrant has spatial phenomena capable of emergent "proto" universes. (DS9 episode: "Playing God")

The USS Voyager had a first-hand experience (or, a near re-enactment) of the universe's birth, while Q pursued Quinn, in 2372. (VOY episode: "Death Wish")

The different universes (including their many alternate realities), together form the multiverse. (TNG novels: Q-Squared, I, Q)

Appendices

External links

• Universe article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Universe article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Universe article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.