After a century of effort, observation spanning the breadth and width of the cosmos, theoretical insights that push humanity's vision of the universe to its utmost limits, we can finally, confidently say without a shred of doubt that the universe is

infinite. Or not. You see, there's a finite limit to what we can ever observe. But there's almost

certainly more universe past that. We just can't see it. We don't know for sure, and we don't know how

far back it goes. And we don't know if the universe

curves back on itself or it just is.

And then there's the whole multiverse thing, which is its own can of worms.

It's complicated.

Insert exasperated sigh here.

Let's start out with something we can say for certain.

We live in an expanding universe.

Every single day, the universe gets a little bit bigger than it was the day before.

But right away, when we say something like, we live in an expanding universe, certain questions start to pop up.

And they're far in a way one of the most common kinds of questions that I get asked. If the universe

is expanding, then what is it expanding into? And what is it expanding from? Where is the edge of the

universe and where is its center? I'm going to be honest with you. I dread this kind of question,

especially when I give public talks. Not because I know what the answer is,

but because I know how totally unsatisfying that answer feels. It's like sneaking into your kid's

candy bag the night after Halloween and eating half their chocolates. Don't judge me! I know you've done it too.

Feels good in the moment, but you instantly have regrets.

Because here's the answer. The Big Bang has no center and it has no edge. That's it. That's the

answer. No more, no less. And that doesn't really feel good because it doesn't make a lot of sense.

It's easy to imagine an expanding universe and there are plenty of analogies out there to help

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