Scientists propose that the perceived acceleration of the universe might be an illusion caused by vast, empty regions of space known as cosmic voids.
The enigmatic force known as dark energy , believed to be driving the accelerating expansion of the universe, may not be as substantial as previously thought. Scientists are now proposing that the perceived acceleration might be an illusion arising from the large-scale structure of the cosmos, specifically from vast, nearly empty regions known as cosmic voids.
This groundbreaking theory challenges one of the fundamental pillars of modern cosmology, the standard model, which posits that dark energy is responsible for the universe's accelerated expansion. The standard model assumes a homogeneous and isotropic universe, meaning it appears the same in every direction and from every vantage point. However, the alternative theory, called the timescape model, proposes that the apparent acceleration is a consequence of the interplay between cosmic structures like voids.The research team analyzed the Pantheon+ dataset, the most comprehensive collection of type Ia supernovae ever assembled. These stellar explosions, known for their consistent peak brightness, serve as invaluable cosmic distance markers. By combining this distance information with the redshift of the supernovae – the stretching of light towards redder wavelengths due to the universe's expansion – scientists have been able to map the universe's growth over time. The Pantheon+ dataset, spanning decades of observations from both ground-based and space telescopes, contains data on 1,500 supernovae across space-time.Their findings suggest that the timescape model aligns remarkably well with the observed data, even outperforming the standard cosmological model in some instances. According to the timescape model, voids, characterized by their low density of matter and weaker gravity, expand at a faster rate than denser regions of the universe, such as galaxy clusters. The dominance of these voids in the cosmic landscape could potentially explain the observed acceleration without the need to invoke dark energy.The implications of this research are profound. If the timescape model holds true, it would revolutionize our understanding of the universe's evolution and cast doubt on the existence of dark energy. This would have far-reaching consequences for cosmology, potentially leading to new theories and a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces governing the cosmos
DARK ENERGY COSMIC VOIDS COSMOLOGY TYPE IA SUPERNOVA TIMESCAPE MODEL ACCELERATING EXPANSION
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