A Road to Nowhere, or Everywhere

Every story has a beginning, every idea a starting point. Mine starts here. I'm entering a realm I know little about, and starting down a road that may not have a conclusion. So I'll begin with a bit about myself.

I'm 21, and still working on my B.S. in Geography, with a focus on Geographical Information Systems. I'm competent at a technical level, and starting to come into my own in analytical terms. Focus has only recently come into the equation of my education and pursuits. I'm a traveller, a vagabond, and a scientist, though that last one I never thought to hear myself say.

Of late, I've begun to look to the stars. Not quite as last frontier-ish as the ocean, but still vast and important in its own right. As my knowledge of physics and astro-sciences are limited, I've taken a geographical approach to my questioning; that is to say, how would one go about mapping the universe to accurately portray...well, the universe, and how everything in it interacts. I've spent the better part of two months pondering this with any spare brainpower I could, and along the way numerous questions have arisen, which, when answered, only raised more questions. Such is 'science'.

Now to the important bit. I'm going to begin the process of...actually, I dont know what I'm beginning. A thesis? A dissertation? Just a bit of research? It will be whatever it will be, I suppose.

So, the proper way to begin any bit of scientific study is to ask a question. Here goes...

What are the difficulties and hurdles that must be approached and dealt with when modelling the universe in as accurate a way as possible?

Not quite an epic question, by any means. But I'm working with what I know, and what I know are spatial relations and mapping technologies.

The answer to this question, though, is difficult at best. There are numerous variables that need be accounted for, and not all of the theories that are widely regarded as true are even completely proven. Worst yet, I'm ill-equipped to really approach and understand some of the more advanced concepts presented. Not that it will stop me from trying. But I do expect mistakes along the way.

Such a broad question to answer has no real starting space, but instead requires a list of research topics. Each should help flesh out the necessities, and each in turn will add new theories and topics to the list. But I'm going to stop getting ahead of myself and get to it.

The List:

• Newton's Theory of Gravity
• Einstein's Theory of Time-Space
• String Theory
• Astrophysics
• Wave Theory
• Particle Theory
• Atmospheres (and, more importantly, Vacuums)

Well, it's a start.