Parallel Universes Do Exist, say Scientists

The Original Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror" and the Star Trek TNG episode "Parallels" are based upon "the parallel universe theory" first proposed in 1950 by the American physicist Hugh Everett. Everett formulated the theory in an attempt to explain mysteries of quantum mechanics that baffled scientists. In Everett's "many worlds" universe, every time a new physical possibility is explored, the universe splits. Given a number of possible alternative outcomes, each one is played out - in its own universe. A motorist who has a near miss, for instance, might feel relieved at his lucky escape. But in a parallel universe, another version of the same driver will have been killed. Yet another universe will see the motorist recover after treatment in a hospital. The number of alternative scenarios is endless.

The TNG episode "Parallels" climaxes when realities begin to merge into one another, and hundreds of USS Enterprise star ships appear, each experiencing a different possible outcome. In "Mirror, Mirror", captain Kirk and crew are teleported into an alternate universe where they find that their alternate universe counter parts are cruel and imperialistic. An interesting theory to explore with science fiction story telling. In the past, this was no more than a bizarre idea which was dismissed as fanciful by many experts. But, not any more. According to a mathematical discovery by Oxford scientists, parallel universes are no longer just a theory or Science fiction. The discovery is being heralded as "one of the most important developments in the history of science". New research from Oxford shows that it offers a mathematical answer to quantum conundrums that cannot be dismissed lightly - and suggests that Dr Everett, who was a PhD student at Princeton University when he came up with the theory, was on the right track.