The Cosmic Microwave Background Anomaly Image Credit:: ESA and the Planck Collaboration
Anomalies
What appear to be 7 anomalies, any one of which may ultimately undermine the basic assumptions that the current model of the flat universe relies upon, are outlined below. The image above represents a summary of the Planck mission anomalies released in March of 2013. Many cosmologists dismiss the Planck anomalies as being statistically insignificant. However, ESA, who lead the Planck mission, cautions that the anomalies are, in their view, statistically significant and should not be ignored. Cosmologists at ESA believe the anomalies may, in fact, point away from the current flat model of the universe. [read more]
Accelerating Expansion
The rate at which the universe is expanding is speeding up. The flat model currently cannot explain this. More
Hemispheric Temperature Anomalies
One hemisphere is slightly warmer than the other. One hemisphere has slightly higher variability in temperature fluctuations than the other. Either of these anomalies could imply a anisotropic universe, which, if correct, would undermine a pillar of the flat universe. More
One hemisphere is slightly warmer than the other. One hemisphere has slightly higher variability in temperature fluctuations than the other. Either of these anomalies could imply a anisotropic universe, which, if correct, would undermine a pillar of the flat universe. More
Temperature/Density Patch Size Distribution Anomaly
There are anomalies in the microwave background radiation patterns at large scale that do not fit the harmonics of a flat universe. More
Hubble Expansion Discrepancy
Measurements of the rate of universe's expansion taken in our cosmiogical neighbourhood vary significantly from those taken near the edge of our observable universe. More
Asymmetrical Supernova Velocities
A detailed analysis of the velocities of type 1A supernova seem to show hemispheric bias, with higher speeds in the northern hemisphere. If correct, this would indicate the expansion is slightly egg-shaped, breaking the Cosmological Principle of isotropism. More
A detailed analysis of the velocities of type 1A supernova seem to show hemispheric bias, with higher speeds in the northern hemisphere. If correct, this would indicate the expansion is slightly egg-shaped, breaking the Cosmological Principle of isotropism. More
The Large Quasar Group Anomaly
At over 4 billion light years in length, the size of the LQG structure indicates our universe is not homogeneous, potentially undermining the second pillar of the flat universe. More
|
The Missing Antimatter Matters
In the part of the universe we can observe that isn't obscured by the dust in the disc of our own Milkyway galaxy, we do not see any evidence of antimatter. All of the stars in our galaxy and all the galaxies in our observable universe are made of matter not antimatter. More
Energy from nothing The current thinking is that dark energy pervades all space. As space expands you would surmise that this energy density must decrease. However, this is not the case. In order to satisfy the observations, dark energy density cannot decrease with time or as the universe expands. So where is this additional energy is coming from? Pulling the proverbial rabbit from the proverbial hat? |
|
Expansion Rate Asymmetry
The University of Bonn has published a paper in the Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics with findings that show asymmetry in the expansion rate of the universe dependent on the direction of observation. If accurate, the universe is not isotropic. |
