What happens at the edge of the Universe? The short (but rather confusing) answer is that the Universe has no edges. It has no edges, no ends, and no center. All points within the Universe appear the same, and the Universe looks the same no matter where you are standing inside it. But what does this really mean?

• We said that a one dimensional universe could be visualized as piece of string, or a rubber band. Let us start with a foot long piece of string. It has two ends, and a centerpoint (six inches in from either end). How can we make a piece of string without any ends and no center? Tie the ends together, and form a circle! Now our string (or a rubber band) has been transformed into a smooth shape, with no centerpoint, no beginning and no end.

• We said that a two dimensional universe could be visualized as piece of paper, or a rubber sheet. Let us start with a foot square piece of paper. It has four edges, and a centerpoint (six inches in from any edge). How can we make a piece of paper without any edges? Loop the edges around together, and form a sphere! Now our paper (or a balloon) has been transformed into a smooth shape, with no centerpoint, no beginning and no end.

• The same technique could be used in our three dimensional universe if only we knew how to visualize it. So there are no ends to the Universe, and all points within it are equal. (The only reason that we observe distant galaxies in their infancy is because of the long time it takes for light from them to reach us. By the same token, the alien astronomers living in distant galaxies are observing the Milky Way as it appeared 10 billions years ago.)