Moving one step closer to understanding mysteries at the edge of the universe.
A group of researchers at the
For more than twenty years, physicists and astronomers have been trying to create a mathematical model that explains the apparent inconsistencies of the theory of general relativity. Many of those efforts have taken place at Waterloo, which has a long history of cutting-edge gravitational research resulting from ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration between applied mathematicians and astrophysicists.
Historical Context and Research Efforts
“Almost a century ago, astronomers discovered that our universe is expanding,” said Niayesh Afshordi, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Waterloo and researcher at the Perimeter Institute.
“The farther away galaxies are, the faster they are moving, to the point that they seem to be moving at nearly the speed of light, the maximum allowed by Einstein’s theory. Our finding suggests that, on those very scales, Einstein’s theory may also be insufficient.”
Modifying Einstein’s Theory
The research team’s new model of a “cosmic glitch” modifies and extends Einstein’s mathematical formulas in a way that resolves the inconsistency of some of the cosmological measurements without affecting existing successful uses of general relativity.
“Think of it as being like a footnote to Einstein’s theory,” Wen said. “Once you reach a cosmic scale, terms and conditions apply.”
“This new model might just be the first clue in a cosmic puzzle we are starting to solve across space and time,” Afshordi said.
The study, “A cosmic glitch in gravity,” appears in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.
Reference: “A cosmic glitch in gravity” by Robin Y. Wen, Lukas T. Hergt, Niayesh Afshordi and Douglas Scott, 20 March 2024, Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.
DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2024/03/045