Is there a barycenter of the universe?

WesleyCrusher

The question is the same as "Is the universe finite or infinite?" Every finite collection of objects (whether as large as quasars or as small as subatomic particles) has, by definition, a center of mass (aka barycenter). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass An infinite collection does not have such a defined center. Thus the observable universe (a finite entity) does inevitably have a center of mass, but we do not know whether the observable universe and the true universe are the same. Side note: Strictly speaking, "barycenter" only applies to a system of two gravitationally bound objects. Thus your question would be undefined since, depending on scale, you are either talking about one object (the universe) or far more than two (its components). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass#Barycenter_in_astrophysics_and_astronomy Jul 30 11, 5:40 PM