Scientists have long been puzzled by the accelerating expansion of the universe, a phenomenon first observed 25 years ago. Researchers from the University of Geneva and Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier recently analyzed data from the Dark Energy Survey to compare Einstein’s predictions with observed cosmic phenomena. They found a slight discrepancy that changes across different eras of the Universe’s history.
Einstein’s theory suggests that gravity warps space-time, much like a flexible sheet bends under a heavy object. This effect, known as gravitational lensing, helps scientists understand the composition and expansion of the universe. However, recent measurements reveal that Einstein’s predictions do not fully explain the behavior of the universe on large scales.
The researchers analyzed data from 100 million galaxies at four different points in the universe’s history. They found that the depth of gravitational wells aligns well with Einstein’s predictions for distant galaxies, but becomes slightly shallower as we approach the present day. This discrepancy is particularly notable around the time when the universe’s expansion began to accelerate.
While the results show an incompatibility of 3 sigma with measurements, it is not large enough to invalidate Einstein’s theory. The team plans to analyze new data from the Euclid space telescope to further test the predictions and confirm or refute these initial findings. This will allow for more accurate measurements of space-time distortions and ultimately shed light on whether Einstein’s equations remain valid in our universe.
The study, published in Nature Communications, raises questions about the ability of Einstein’s theories to fully explain the behavior of the universe on large scales. Further investigations are necessary to confirm or refute these initial results and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the accelerating expansion of the universe.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/is-the-universe-defying-einstein-new-discoveries-challenge-relativity