A new study suggests that gravitational waves may have played a key role in forming the first galaxies, rather than the widely accepted theory of inflation. Scientists believe that in the early universe, everything was incredibly tiny and chaotic, with random energy ripples known as quantum foam.
During this period, the universe expanded rapidly, but the researchers propose an alternative explanation for how galaxies formed. According to their model, gravitational waves released by quantum foam amplified over time, creating patterns in space that eventually shaped the cosmic universe.
The study’s authors suggest that gravitational wave-driven inflation may have ended when radiations dominated space, leading to a transition from an expansion-dominated phase to a radiation-dominated phase. This new mechanism offers an intriguing alternative to the traditional theory of inflation, but further research is needed to confirm its validity.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/gravitational-waves-not-inflation-possibly-080631006.html