Astronomers have long believed that the universe is accelerating in its expansion, with a mysterious force called dark energy driving this phenomenon. However, recent research by Antonia Seifert and colleagues at the University of Canterbury may finally be putting an end to this enigma.
By analyzing extensive observations of type-Ia supernovas, the team found evidence that supports a new model, known as timescape cosmology, which challenges our understanding of dark energy. According to Seifert, “the results provide evidence for a need to revisit the foundations of theoretical and observational cosmology.”
The key to this new perspective lies in the behavior of light waves in the universe’s voids. Galaxies are known to bend and distort light waves, but researchers believe that voids may also affect light propagation, creating an illusion of faster-moving supernovas. This effect would make type-Ia supernovas appear farther away than they actually are, leading to the misconception that the universe is expanding.
Seifert and her team conducted a model-independent analysis of extensive observations using the Pantheon+ dataset. Their results revealed strong evidence in favor of timescape cosmology over the Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which has been the cornerstone of modern cosmology for decades.
If validated, this new perspective would render dark energy unnecessary and force a revision to our current understanding of the universe’s expansion. The findings are still pending validation by other groups, but they hold significant implications for the field of cosmology and astrophysics.
Source: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/cosmological-evidence-emerges-that-dark-energy-is-an-illusion