Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – Recent research analyzing the largest map of the universe has found evidence that Einstein’s theory has been proven again regarding gravity and the structure of the universe.
Reporting from livescience, the analysis, which observed nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars spanning 11 billion years of cosmic time, found that even on very large scales, gravitational forces behave as predicted by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
These results validate cosmologists’ leading theories about the universe and appear to constrain alternative gravity theories, the researchers said.
The researchers published their findings in several papers on the arXiv preprint server and will present them in January at the American Astronomical Society meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
“General relativity has been tested very well on the scale of the solar system, but we also need to test whether our assumptions work on much larger scales,” Pauline Zarrouk, a cosmologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) who took part in the research.
“Studying galaxy formation rates allows us to test our theory directly and, so far, we are in line with the predictions of general relativity on cosmological scales.” he added.
Cosmologists have long debated the behavior of gravity at large distances. The leading theory, called the lambda cold dark matter model, builds on Einstein’s theory to offer the most comprehensive view of a wide range of astronomical phenomena.
But doubts about some elements in the model, such as dark matter and dark energy — two mysterious entities that do not interact with light but account for most of the mass and energy in the universe — as well as the model’s inability to predict some observations, have led competing factions to fight for alternative explanations. .
One of them is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), which proposes that for gravitational pulls that are 10 trillion times smaller than those felt at the Earth’s surface, such as the pull between distant galaxies, Newton’s laws (which underlie general relativity) no longer apply and must be broken . replaced by another equation.
To look for clues about how gravity behaves on a large scale, the researchers turned to data from the first year of the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI) mounted on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope in Arizona, which pinpointed the position of gravitational months. millions of galaxies to learn how the universe expanded until today.
The scientists performed a “full shape analysis” that produces precise measurements of the growth of the galaxy’s structure over time. This research reveals that, although dark energy may evolve over time, the structure of the universe closely matches the predictions made by Einstein’s theory.
It’s too early to say for sure what this means for our overall view of the cosmos, but the data DESI collects over the next two years will be released in spring 2025.
The experiment, now in its fourth of five years, will incorporate data collected by DESI. data from about 40 million galaxies and quasars at that time ended. If the answer is readily available, we may not have to wait too long to find it.
Einstein Still Rules: Cosmic Revelations from the Universe’s Largest Map
By Your Favorite Cosmic Comedians
Hold onto your telescopes, ladies and gentlemen! Recent research has dropped a cosmic bombshell that has physicists doing the quantum boogie. The largest map of the universe, which I assume looks a bit like a cosmic Google Maps, has found yet more evidence that Einstein’s theory of gravity is still the reigning champion of the universe!
In a phenomenal analysis involving nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars over the span of 11 billion years—yes, they checked their watch, and it’s been a while—scientists have confirmed that even on the grandest of scales, gravity behaves just the way Einstein predicted. It’s almost as if he had a cosmic crystal ball and said, “I’ll take the universe for £10, please!”
This groundbreaking discovery will be presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting next January in picturesque National Harbor, Maryland. I can just picture it: a room full of astrophysicists nodding sagely, sipping strong coffee, and debating whether or not the universe really has a sense of style.
Have you ever wondered about gravity’s behavior when the distances reach astronomical proportions? Well, cosmologists have been scratching their heads over this very question! The leading theory is the lambda cold dark matter model, which is as dense as it sounds. This framework uses Einstein’s principles to offer insight into a plethora of astronomical phenomena, like how many times you’ve tried and failed to parallel park your spaceship.
However, not all is merry in the realm of cosmology! Enter *dark matter* and *dark energy*: those notorious party crashers that don’t interact with light but somehow represent most of the universe’s mass and energy. It’s like saying you know exactly who ate the last slice of cake at a party when in fact, no one wants to admit it was them. The uncertainty over these two has led to fierce debates and wild claims, with ideas ranging from Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) to theories that could rival your mate’s drunken explanations of the multi-verse.
To take us on this cosmic journey, researchers harnessed data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI) mounted on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope in Arizona. And they’ve done a “full shape analysis”—which sounds more like an uncomfortable yoga pose than a scientific endeavor—but trust me, the results are anything but awkward.
This analysis showed that, despite theories proposing that dark energy could evolve over time, the structure of our universe is still very much in line with old mate Einstein’s predictions. It’s too early to pronounce any final conclusions, but it seems that Einstein’s theory, which has been under scrutiny like a contestant in a talent show, is holding its own.
As we look forward to revelations from DESI over the next two years, it’s a cosmic cliffhanger worthy of a good soap opera. Will gravity be the ultimate revelation, or will we discover that Einstein’s got some rivals? Stay tuned, folks! Spring 2025 promises to uncover whether the universe is more predictable than your last Tinder date or just as confounding.
So buckle up, keep your telescopes handy, and prepare for a thrilling ride through the cosmos—one where Einstein continues to geo-tag all the cosmic shenanigans across the universe!
Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – Recent groundbreaking research has revealed that the latest and most extensive map of the universe provides further affirmation of Einstein’s theories concerning both gravity and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
Reporting from livescience, an extensive analysis scrutinizing nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars over a timeframe of 11 billion years has demonstrated that, even across massive cosmic distances, gravitational interactions conform closely to the predictions set forth by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
These compelling results serve to substantiate the prevailing theories among cosmologists about the universe, while also appearing to impose restrictions on alternative theories of gravity, as commented by the research team.
The findings were disseminated through multiple papers on the arXiv preprint server, and researchers are set to share their insights at the upcoming American Astronomical Society meeting scheduled for January in National Harbor, Maryland.
“General relativity has been rigorously tested in the confines of our solar system, but it’s crucial that we also evaluate whether our theoretical foundations hold true on vastly larger scales,” stated Pauline Zarrouk, a prominent cosmologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) involved in the study. “The rates of galaxy formation enable us to directly assess our theory, and thus far, our observations remain consistent with the predictions made by general relativity on cosmological scales.”
Cosmologists have engaged in significant discourse regarding the dynamics of gravity over extensive distances. The prevailing model, known as lambda cold dark matter, is predicated on Einstein’s original theories and aims to provide an extensive explanation for a multitude of astronomical phenomena.
However, skepticism regarding specific components of this model, such as the ethereal dark matter and dark energy—two elusive entities that are unobservable by light yet comprise the majority of mass and energy in the universe—has sparked vigorous debate among scientific factions, which are vying to propose alternative explanations.
One such alternate theory is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), which argues that for gravitational forces that are considerably weaker—specifically, around 10 trillion times less than those felt on Earth—such as the forces acting between distant galaxies, Newton’s laws—which underpin general relativity—initially lose relevance and must be replaced by a different mathematical formulation.
To probe the nature of gravitational behavior on a grand scale, researchers utilized data gathered in the first year of operations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI) installed on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope in Arizona. This instrument accurately mapped the locations of millions of galaxies, yielding insights into how the universe has expanded throughout its history.
The scientists conducted a “full shape analysis” that generates precise measurements of the growth of galaxy structure throughout cosmic time. The findings suggest that, while dark energy may evolve intermittently, the overall structural characteristics of the universe closely align with the predictions posited by Einstein’s theory.
It’s still premature to draw definitive conclusions regarding the implications of these findings for our comprehensive understanding of the universe, yet the wealth of data that DESI will continue to collect over the next two years is slated for release in the spring of 2025.
The research initiative is currently in its fourth year of a five-year program and will incorporate findings from DESI, expected to include data from about 40 million galaxies and quasars by project’s end. Should the answers emerge promptly, we might not have to wait long to uncover them.
How can data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI) reshape our understanding of gravity on cosmic scales?
E alternative explanations.
One notable alternative is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), which suggests that at gravitational forces 10 trillion times weaker than those experienced on Earth’s surface—such as those occurring between distant galaxies—Newton’s laws, foundational to both general relativity and the lambda cold dark matter model, may not hold true. Instead, MOND favors the introduction of new equations to explain cosmic interactions.
To investigate how gravity operates on these vast cosmic scales, the research team utilized data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopy Instrument (DESI), which is installed on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope in Arizona. This powerful instrument has mapped the positions of millions of galaxies, allowing scientists to gain insights into how the universe has expanded over time.
Through a comprehensive “full shape analysis,” researchers have provided precise measurements of the evolution of galactic structures across the cosmos. Interestingly, their findings suggest that while dark energy might evolve, the overall structure of the universe aligns well with Einstein’s original predictions, reinforcing confidence in the validity of general relativity.
Though it’s premature to draw definitive conclusions about the cosmos based on this data, the insights produced by DESI over the coming two years are eagerly anticipated. The full suite of data, encompassing approximately 40 million galaxies and quasars, will culminate in findings expected to be released in the spring of 2025.
As the research progresses, these developments could either confirm Einstein’s theories as the ultimate explanation for cosmic phenomena or reveal new complexities that challenge our understanding of the universe. For now, the scientific community remains vigilant, observing the trajectory of gravity and the enigmatic components that shape our universe.