• Question: What is a worm hole in space, is it there for a reason, does it do anything?

    Asked by sapphire blue to Heather, Helen, Hugh, Jane, Julian on 17 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Julian Onions

      Julian Onions answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      A wormhole is a theoretical idea that two areas of space can be connected by a short cut, a tube that allows you to go very quickly between two points. Its a great idea for science fiction novels, as you can quickly get around the galaxy, and it may be what Dr Who exploits in his TARDIS.

      However they are only theoretical, have never been seen, and the conditions under which they can be made are very extreme, and they are thought to collapse almost as soon as they are made even if they can be made. So – currently things are not looking good for a mode of travel based on wormholes anytime soon!

    • Photo: Helen Johnson

      Helen Johnson answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      Yep, even if we could somehow form a wormhole, it’s unlikely you’d even be able to get a beam of light through it. The idea of them is pretty entertaining though, have you seen Interstellar? 😀

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