Science
What is a wormhole?
A wormhole is a hypothetical tunnel through spacetime that could connect two distant points, like a shortcut folding space. Predicted by Einstein's equations, wormholes are theoretically possible but have never been observed and may be impossible to keep open.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a wormhole.
Key things to understand
- 1It's a theorized shortcut linking two separate points in spacetime.
- 2It arises as a solution to Einstein's general relativity equations.
- 3In theory it could connect distant places — or even times.
- 4No wormhole has ever been observed.
- 5Keeping one open may require 'exotic matter' that might not exist.
Frequently asked questions
- Are wormholes real?
- They're allowed by the math of general relativity, but none have been found, and it's unknown whether they can actually exist or stay open.
- Could you travel through a wormhole?
- In theory it could be a shortcut across space, but a stable, traversable wormhole would likely need exotic matter we've never seen.
- How is a wormhole different from a black hole?
- A black hole is a one-way pit nothing escapes; a wormhole is a hypothetical tunnel that could connect two regions with an exit.