Oscillations. Credit: Chris Blake & Sam Moorfield
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
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Dark energy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Dark energy
- 'God's Hand' interstellar cloud reaches for the stars in new Dark Energy Camera image (video)on May 7, 2024 at 9:59 am
Engaging articles, breathtaking images and expert knowledge ...
- God’s Hand Or Giant Worm? Dark Energy Camera Spots Cometary Globule In Spaceon May 7, 2024 at 8:36 am
Cometary globules are a special type of Bok Globules that have been known since 1976. But even after 50 years, they remain extremely difficult to observe. The reason for this is that the gas and dust ...
- Euclid telescope: A scientist tells us of his quest to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energyon May 6, 2024 at 7:00 am
Henk Hoekstra is a professor in observational cosmology at Leiden University.
- Dark energy is tearing the Universe apart. What if the force is weakening?on May 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The first set of results from a pioneering cosmic-mapping project hints that the repulsive force known as dark energy has changed over 11 billion years, which would alter ideas about how the Universe ...
- Euclid telescope: Scientist reports on his quest to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energyon May 1, 2024 at 7:47 am
Euclid, a unique European space telescope was launched from Cape Canaveral. The launch was undoubtedly the highlight of my career as an astronomer, but witnessing the result of years of work being put ...
- The Mysterious ‘Dark’ Energy That Permeates the Universe Is Slowly Erodingon April 28, 2024 at 4:00 am
Physicists call the dark energy that drives the universe “the cosmological constant.” Now the largest map of the cosmos to date hints that this mysterious energy has been changing over billions of ...
- Dark energy could be getting weaker, suggesting the universe will end in a 'Big Crunch'on April 16, 2024 at 8:52 am
In short, that is because new observations of the cosmos have suggested that dark energy, the force causing our universe to expand faster and faster, seems to be weakening. That may not sound like ...
- Dark energy could be getting weaker, suggesting the universe will end in a 'Big Crunch'on April 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm
in which lambda represents the cosmological constant and dark energy, may now be under serious threat. In short, that is because new observations of the cosmos have suggested that dark energy, the ...
- Largest 3D map of our universe could 'turn cosmology upside down'on April 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Scientists using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument have unveiled the largest 3D map of the universe ever. The results suggest that dark energy, the mysterious force pulling the universe ...
- Massive Cosmic Map Suggests Dark Energy Is Even Weirder Than We Thoughton April 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Dark energy may be even more complicated than scientists have bargained for, potentially “evolving” over time rather than remaining relentlessly constant in its acceleration of cosmic expansion.
via Bing News
