Delving into the Void
For almost a century, astronomers have relied on the Hubble-Lemaitre constant to explain the acceleration of the expanding universe, a crucial factor supporting the Big Bang theory.
In simpler terms, this concept suggests that the rate at which galaxies move away from each other is directly related to the distance between them.
However, empirical observations have revealed significant inconsistencies, leaving scientists puzzled. This resulting “Hubble tension” has led many researchers to propose potential solutions, but none have gained widespread acceptance within the scientific community.
Currently, a team of scholars from the University of Bonn in Germany and St Andrews in Scotland claim to have developed a new and ingenious solution.
Their fresh hypothesis builds upon recent observations that indicate our solar system exists in a region with relatively low matter density compared to other parts of the known universe. This region can be likened to an “air bubble in a cake,” as described in a press release. Essentially, it is a vast void where matter is significantly less concentrated than in other cosmic expanses.
Bubble Theory
The conclusion was reached by researchers who studied the speed of nearby supernovae moving away from Earth. By calculating their speed, the team found a significantly different value for the Hubble-Lemaitre constant.
Astrophysicist and University of Bonn professor Pavel Kroupa, a co-author of a recent paper published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, explained that the universe seems to be expanding faster in our vicinity, up to about three billion light years, than as a whole.
This discovery could clarify why astronomers recently noticed a local “under-density” in our cosmic neighborhood.
University of St. Andrews research fellow and co-author Indranil Banik added that objects are moving away from us at a speed exceeding what was expected.
Since the current conventional model does not account for these “voids,” the researchers suggest revisiting certain fundamental principles that have been in place for over a century.
Kroupa mentioned that the conventional model is based on Albert Einstein’s theory of gravity, but gravitational forces may not necessarily align with Einstein’s predictions.
As a result, the team supports the idea of “modified Newtonian dynamics,” proposed by Israeli physicist Mordehai Milgrom in 1982.
While this concept could potentially resolve the Hubble tension, it requires rigorous scientific examination before being validated.
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