Wormholes: Physics Behind Cosmic Shortcuts in Space-Time

Wormholes are hypothetical tunnels connecting distant points in space-time, potentially enabling faster-than-light travel.
They are predicted by solutions to Einstein’s general relativity equations, but none have been observed.
A stable wormhole would require exotic matter with negative energy to keep it open.
Wormholes could, in theory, link not just different locations but also different times.
The concept originated with Einstein and Rosen in the 1930s, known as “Einstein-Rosen bridges.”
Tiny, quantum-scale wormholes might naturally form in the fabric of space-time.
Traversable wormholes remain purely theoretical; human travel through them faces enormous challenges.
Wormholes inspire ideas in science fiction, from interstellar travel to time machines.
Studying wormholes helps physicists explore the extremes of gravity, quantum mechanics, and space-time.
If proven, wormholes could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, offering shortcuts through the cosmos itself.