ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Shellworld

Imagine a big sphere, like a giant beach ball. Now imagine that this sphere is hollow inside and there is an ecosystem living on the inside surface of the sphere. This is what we call a shellworld.

A shellworld is a hypothetical construct that scientists and science fiction writers have considered. Basically, it's a world that has been built inside a giant sphere. The outside of the sphere may be uninhabitable, like a barren rock in space, but the inside surface has been made into a livable environment.

In a shellworld, there are layers of differing environments. For example, the outer layer might be a rocky desert, then there might be a forested layer, and then finally an oceanic layer. Each layer is artificially lit and positioned in such a way that life can thrive.

The idea of a shellworld is fascinating because it allows for the creation of a self-contained ecosystem that can be perfectly controlled. Everything from the atmosphere to the temperature to the day/night cycle can be precisely controlled. This level of control could allow for scientific research or the preservation of endangered species.

However, no shellworld has been built yet, and it remains a topic of speculation and imagination.