For the first time researchers have measured large distances in the Universe using data, rather than calculations related to general relativity.
A research team from Imperial College London and the University of Barcelona has used data from astronomical surveys to measure a standard distance that is central to our understanding of the expansion of the universe.
Previously the size of this ‘standard ruler’ has only been predicted from theoretical models that rely on general relativity to explain gravity at large scales. The new study is the first to measure it using observed data. A standard ruler is an object which consistently has the same physical size so that a comparison of its actual size to its size in the sky will provide a measurement of its distance to earth.
“Our research suggests that current methods for measuring distance in the Universe are more complicated than they need to be,” said Professor Alan Heavens from the Department of Physics, Imperial College London who led the study. “Traditionally in cosmology, general relativity plays a central role in most models and interpretations. We have demonstrated that current data are powerful enough to measure the geometry and expansion history of the Universe without relying on calculations relating to general relativity.
“We hope this more data-driven approach, combined with an ever increasing wealth of observational data, could provide more precise measurements that will be useful for future projects that are planning to answer major questions around the acceleration of the Universe and dark energy.”
The Latest on: Dark energy
via Google News
The Latest on: Dark energy
- What hides in the darkon May 24, 2022 at 12:38 pm
As the woman approaches, she raises her hand, which fills itself with dark energy “Don’t let her touch you,” Hubert growls, stepping between Edelgard and the woman. He casts again, and dark spikes ...
- Spanish Dancer Galaxy Twirls Into View – Dark Energy Camera Captures Celestial Phenomenaon May 19, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Dark Energy Camera captures a trove of celestial phenomena in one shot. This image, taken by astronomers using the US Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera at Cerro Tololo Inter-American ...
- Dark Energy sign Broken Antleron May 12, 2022 at 7:18 am
Production company Dark Energy have signed award-winning mixed-media director/ producer duo Broken Antler to their roster. Broken Antler combine animation, design and live-action ...
- The universe could stop expanding 'remarkably soon', study suggestson May 9, 2022 at 4:20 am
In just 100 million years, the universe could start to shrink, new research suggests. After nearly 13.8 billion years of nonstop expansion, the universe could soon grind to a standstill, then ...
- See two galaxies in the process of merging in this Dark Energy Camera imageon May 7, 2022 at 2:25 am
A beautiful image showing two interacting galaxies has been captured by a camera originally designed to study dark energy. The two galaxies in this image, NGC 1512 and NGC 1510, are part of an ...
- Dark Energy Camera spies 'galactic ballet' of galaxies in stunning space photoon May 5, 2022 at 12:54 pm
One of the most powerful cameras in the world just photographed two distant galaxies entwined in what's been described as a "galactic ballet." Part of the National Science Foundation's (NSF ...
- Dark Energy Camera spies 'galactic ballet' of galaxies in stunning space photoon May 5, 2022 at 11:46 am
Part of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), the Dark Energy Camera on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo ...
- Predicting how soon the universe could collapse if dark energy has quintessenceon May 3, 2022 at 8:01 am
More information: Cosmin Andrei et al, Rapidly descending dark energy and the end of cosmic expansion, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200539119 ...
- Disease and the brain's dark energyon January 30, 2022 at 11:32 am
This approach, however, ignores the fact that much of the brain's energy is devoted to intrinsic neuronal signaling. Recent studies indicate that intrinsic neuronal activity manifests as ...
via Bing News