Space & Astronomy

Time may actually have three dimensions, scientist proposes

By T.K. Randall
June 24, 2025

Image: AI-generated (Bing AI / Dall-E 3) For decades, physicists have sought a unified theory of everything - a single framework that explains all the forces of nature. Even Albert Einstein, despite years of effort, was unable to find the answer.

But what if the problem is that we are fundamentally misunderstanding the nature of space and time ?

Now according to associate research professor Gunther Kletetschka of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, it could be that time itself has three dimensions rather than one.

In addition, he argues, space may only be a secondary manifestation.

"These three time dimensions are the primary fabric of everything, like the canvas of a painting," he said."Space still exists with its three dimensions, but it's more like the paint on the canvas rather than the canvas itself."

This concept is the opposite of the long-established traditional view of the universe which is typically thought to have three spacial dimensions and one dimension of time.

Kletetschka has also developed a mathematical framework through which it may be possible to eventually determine if three-dimensional time exists.

"Earlier 3D time proposals were primarily mathematical constructs without these concrete experimental connections," he said.

"My work transforms the concept from an interesting mathematical possibility into a physically testable theory with multiple independent verification channels."

Whether or not he has genuinely hit upon a fundamental discovery about the nature of reality, however, remains to be seen.

Source: Phys.org

Tags: Space, Time