Hawking’s Last Work Suggests Parallel Universes Could Be Detected With Future Deep Space Technology
TL;DR
Just days before his passing, Stephen Hawking revised his final paper, tackling the complex theory of parallel universes. Alongside his co-authors, Hawking worked to align the existence of these alternate realities with current physics and suggested potential methods for their detection. Hawking proposed that deep space probes could one day find radiation traces left by parallel universes. While the technology to prove this theory is still out of reach, Hawking’s contributions may eventually guide us toward evidence of a multiverse, forever changing our understanding of existence.
Stephen Hawking may have left us last week, but the legendary physicist continued exploring some of humanity’s biggest mysteries until his final days. Hawking devoted much of his life to exploring the theory of parallel universes, working through complex equations and abstract ideas to make sense of it all.
His latest contribution was an update to his paper A Smooth Exit from Eternal Inflation, where he delved into how the existence of parallel universes could align with our current understanding of physics. The concept that multiple universes were created alongside our own isn’t entirely new, but providing concrete evidence to support this theory remains a colossal task. This challenge is what Hawking was grappling with in the paper he revised just ten days before his passing.
In his research, Hawking proposed educated predictions on how we might detect a parallel universe. The greatest obstacle to testing his theory is technological—Hawking suggested that deep space probes would be needed to search for faint traces of radiation left behind by these alternate realities.
Previous studies have hinted that signs of parallel universes may be just beyond our reach. For instance, an investigation into a “cold spot” in space sparked the bold hypothesis that it might be the scar of a past collision between our universe and another. While proving this theory is currently beyond our capabilities, Hawking’s work could eventually lead to irrefutable evidence that we exist within one of many universes like our own.
As noted by The Times, the discovery of a parallel universe, should it ever happen, would be a monumental achievement deserving of top scientific recognition, such as a Nobel Prize. Sadly, because the prize isn’t awarded posthumously, Hawking would be ineligible for this honor, despite his profound contributions to the field.
