Wormholes: 'magic portals' linking distant places in space and time

A solution to Einstein's theories points to space-time shortcuts by which to travel the universe more quickly.

A wormhole could be defined as a space-time theoretical tunnel that would create shortcuts in long journeys across the universe and which are predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.

However, his interpretation was not in charge of Einstein but of the Austrian physicist Ludwig Flamm, who in reviewing the equations appreciated an alternative solution. Thus, Flamm described a temporary theoretical inversion of a black hole, which he called a 'white hole', so that both holes would be connected by a space-time conduit.

Years later, Albert Einstein and also physicist Nathan Rosen developed the idea of ​​Flamm proposing the existence of space-time bridges that would connect two distinct points in space-time. This solution was given the name of Einstein-Rosen bridges, or wormholes.

"This is all very hypothetical. Nobody expects us to find a wormhole soon, "said Stephen Hsu, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oregon. Because even though science fiction is full of travel stories through wormholes, the reality is more complicated.

That is not only because we have yet to find one to confirm its existence, but because the predictions point to that they would have a size of between 10 and 33 centimeters. And although size matters, it would not be the only problem: the wormholes predicted by Einstein and Rosen would collapse quickly. "We would need some kind of very exotic material to stabilize a wormhole, and it is unclear if that matter exists in the universe," Hsu acknowledges.

But if the bridge had enough exotic matter it could be used to send information and ... humans? "Wormholes by which a human being could travel not comply with the laws of physics. It's sad, it's unfortunate, but it is the direction in which point things," says Kip Thorne, a recent Nobel laureate and one of the major world authorities in relativity, black holes and wormholes.

As it turns out, Einstein-Rosen's wormholes or bridges are only a theoretical solution to Einstein's equations with more but opportunities. But remember, gravitational waves were, too, and we've had five detections. Maybe someday we can detect the first bridge ...