space-time

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

curved space-time

Know the different kinds of dimensions and how they are different from one another

For Students

space-time summary

Read Next

Well-balanced of stones on the top of boulder

What’s the Difference Between Morality and Ethics?

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)

How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?

Albert Einstein.

Celebrating the Birth of a Genius

Albert Einstein smoking pipe

The Bizarre Posthumous Journey of Einstein's Brain

Discover

Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro

Why Is Christmas in December?

World Data Locator Map: Australia

Is Australia an Island?

Indian hijras participate in a religious procession in Gandhinagar, India, some 30 kilometers from Ahmedabad, on March 22, 2017. Hijra is a term used in South Asia which refers to transgender individuals who are born male. (gender identity, gender expression)

6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders

The impeachment trial of Pres. Andrew Johnson, illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.

What If the President Is Impeached?

Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket

Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?

Coriander leaves, fresh green cilantro on wooden background, herbs

Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?

Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

space-time: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	space-time continuum • four-dimensional space

Photos and Videos

curved space-time

Know the different kinds of dimensions and how they are different from one another

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Minkowski universe world point physical science time space universe light eclipse electromagnetism gravity relativity chemical reaction energy expanding universe Olbers’ paradox cosmological constant

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

German-American physicist

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking

British physicist

An artist's representation of Penrose tiling

Roger Penrose

British mathematician

Hermann Minkowski

German mathematician

Samuel Alexander, chalk drawing by Francis Dodd, 1932; in the National Portrait Gallery, London

Samuel Alexander

British philosopher

Sir Frank Dyson, 1927.

Sir Frank Dyson

British astronomer

Quiz

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy

Italian physicist Guglielmo Marconi at work in the wireless room of his yacht Electra, c. 1920.

All About Physics Quiz