'Big Wave' Theory Offers Alternative to Dark Energy

**Jason** · 08-19-2009, 07:40 AM

Mathematicians have proposed an alternative explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe that does not rely on the mystifying idea of dark energy.

According to the new proposition, the universe is not accelerating, as observations suggest. Instead, an expanding wave flowing through space-time has caused distant galaxies to appear to be accelerating away from us. This big wave, initiated after the Big Bang that is thought to have sparked the universe, could explain why objects today appear to be farther away from us than they should be according to the Standard Model of cosmology.

"We're saying that maybe the resulting expanding wave is actually causing the anomalous acceleration," said Blake Temple of the University of California, Davis. "We're saying that dark energy may not really be the correct explanation."

The researchers derived a set of equations describing expanding waves that fit Einstein's theory of general relativity, and which could also account for the apparent acceleration. Temple outlines the new idea with Joel Smoller of the University of Michigan in the Aug. 17 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

While more research will be needed to see if the idea holds up, "the research could change the way astronomers view the composition of our universe," according to a summary from the journal.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...ternative.html

Mcninjaguy · 08-21-2009, 03:21 PM

Its like looking through water from the air. Everything appears off center and a little farther away.

Phædrus2401 · 08-21-2009, 03:37 PM

The problem with that theory is that in order for observations to be what they are the wave would have to be cone-shaped, and Earth must be at the tip. That is because the increase in rate of acceleration away from earth is linear in all directions. If it were a wave, even if we were at its crest the rate of increase in acceleration would appear to accelerate the further away things got; a fourth order increase, rather than a third order one.

Something similar was discussed in Scientific American a couple months ago, but most experts consider it unlikely.

08-19-2009, 07:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,476 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	'Big Wave' Theory Offers Alternative to Dark Energy Mathematicians have proposed an alternative explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe that does not rely on the mystifying idea of dark energy. According to the new proposition, the universe is not accelerating, as observations suggest. Instead, an expanding wave flowing through space-time has caused distant galaxies to appear to be accelerating away from us. This big wave, initiated after the Big Bang that is thought to have sparked the universe, could explain why objects today appear to be farther away from us than they should be according to the Standard Model of cosmology. "We're saying that maybe the resulting expanding wave is actually causing the anomalous acceleration," said Blake Temple of the University of California, Davis. "We're saying that dark energy may not really be the correct explanation." The researchers derived a set of equations describing expanding waves that fit Einstein's theory of general relativity, and which could also account for the apparent acceleration. Temple outlines the new idea with Joel Smoller of the University of Michigan in the Aug. 17 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. While more research will be needed to see if the idea holds up, "the research could change the way astronomers view the composition of our universe," according to a summary from the journal. http://www.space.com/scienceastronom...ternative.html __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

08-21-2009, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: 'Big Wave' Theory Offers Alternative to Dark Energy Its like looking through water from the air. Everything appears off center and a little farther away.

08-21-2009, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,775 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: 'Big Wave' Theory Offers Alternative to Dark Energy The problem with that theory is that in order for observations to be what they are the wave would have to be cone-shaped, and Earth must be at the tip. That is because the increase in rate of acceleration away from earth is linear in all directions. If it were a wave, even if we were at its crest the rate of increase in acceleration would appear to accelerate the further away things got; a fourth order increase, rather than a third order one. Something similar was discussed in Scientific American a couple months ago, but most experts consider it unlikely. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.