Rajendra Gupta from the University of Ottawa published a paper in the Astrophysical Journal based on a modified Lambda CDM + TL model which suggests an age of the universe since the Big Bang of 26.7 Gyr as compared with the consensus view of 13.8 Gyr.
Given that zircon age dates from metamorphosed rocks on this planet, can be reliably dated to ~3.8Gyr the age of the universe of 13.8Gyr always seemed to far too young. Far to young to have accounted for the age of our solar system and the heavy elements within it given their likely origin in pre-cursor supernovae. Far too young given the size of the universe and the current distribution of galaxies, even considering a period of early inflation. Far too young given the recent discovery by the Webb Space Telescope that galaxies as young as 300 Myr after the Big Bang with high red-shift appear to have a structure similar to that of the Milky Way.
Background
To better understand this very interesting paper, here is some necessary background:
Lambda-CDM
The Lambda-CDM, Lambda cold dark matter model is a mathematical model of the Big Bang theory. The ΛCDM model describes an expanding metric space, which is well-supported by observations. This is evident in the redshift of key spectral lines from distant galaxies and the time dilation observed in the light curves of supernovae. Both phenomena result from a Doppler shift in electromagnetic radiation as it moves through expanding space. While this expansion increases the distance between objects not bound by gravity, it does not change the size of those objects (like galaxies). Additionally, this expansion allows distant galaxies to move away from each other at speeds that can exceed the speed of light. Locally, the expansion is less than light speed, but when considering vast distances, the cumulative effect can surpass it.
The ΛCDM Model has three major components:
- a cosmological constant, denoted by lambda (Λ), associated with dark energy
- the postulated cold dark matter, denoted by CDM
- ordinary matter
Tired Light
Tired light refers to a hypothetical mechanism for redshift that was proposed as an alternative to the expanding universe model. Introduced by Fritz Zwicky in 1929, the idea suggests that photons could lose energy over time through regular collisions with other particles, causing more distant objects to appear redder than those nearby.
However, Zwicky noted that any scattering of light would likely blur the images of distant objects more than is actually observed. Furthermore, phenomena such as the changing surface brightness of galaxies over time, time dilation in cosmological sources, and the thermal spectrum of the cosmic microwave background have been documented, which would not align with a tired light explanation. Despite occasional revisits to the concept, tired light has not been substantiated by observational evidence and remains a fringe topic in astrophysics.
Testing CCC+TL Cosmology with Observed Baryon Acoustic Oscillation Features
The Rajendra paper examines a hybrid cosmological model called CCC+TL to determine if it aligns with observations of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs) in the distribution of galaxies and the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
- The CCC+TL model combines the Tired Light (TL) theory with a modified ΛCDM model, replacing the cosmological constant with a covarying coupling constants (CCC) parameter α.
- This model was previously found to fit Type Ia supernovae data as accurately as the ΛCDM model, and also fit the observed angular size of early galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, a measurement that is in tension with the ΛCDM model.
- The CCC+TL model predicts an age of the Universe of 26.7 Gyr, which contrasts with the generally accepted age of 13.8 Gyr.
The author uses the CCC+TL model to calculate the absolute BAO scale at the current epoch and the angular size of the sound horizon:
- The author finds that the CCC+TL model produces an absolute BAO scale of 151.0 (±5.1) Mpc and an angular size of the sound horizon of θsh= 0°.60 when the baryon density is set to 100% of the matter density and the magnitude of α is increased by 5.6%.
- These values match observations from the Planck mission.
- This result provides support for the CCC+TL model; however, further testing is needed to see if the model is consistent with other observations, such as the CMB power spectrum, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and globular cluster ages
Testing CCC+TL Cosmology with Observed Baryon Acoustic Oscillation Features
Abstract
The primary purpose of this paper is to see how well a recently proposed new model fits (a) the position of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) features observed in the large-scale distribution of galaxies and (b) the angular size measured for the sound horizon due to BAO imprinted in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy. The new model is a hybrid model that combines the tired light (TL) theory with a variant of the ΛCDM model in which the cosmological constant is replaced with a covarying coupling constants’ (CCC) parameter α. This model, dubbed the CCC+TL model, can fit the Type Ia supernovae Pantheon+ data as accurately as the ΛCDM model, and also fit the angular size of cosmic dawn galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, which is in tension with the ΛCDM model. The results we obtained are 151.0 (±5.1) Mpc for the absolute BAO scale at the current epoch, and the angular size of the sound horizon θsh = 0fdg60, matching Planck’s observations at the surface of the last scattering when the baryon density is set to 100% of the matter density and ∣α∣ is increased by 5.6%. It remains to be seen if the new model is consistent with the CMB power spectrum, the Big Bang nucleosynthesis of light elements, and other critical observations.
Rajendra P. Gupta
Published 2024 March 15 • © 2024. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 964, Number 1
Citation Rajendra P. Gupta 2024 ApJ 964 55
DOI 10.3847/1538-4357/ad1bc6
It also seems quite improbable that the current structure of the Milky Way Galaxy could have evolved from a diffuse gaseous state to spectacular spiral galaxy we can observe today. Given that it takes 250 Myr to rotate around the galactic core, this would only be 50 rotations since the Big Bang. Simply does not appear to been sufficient time for the universe to have evolved into its complex structure at almost any scale!
The current models of the universe and the above discussion depends on the assumption that gravity, the distortion of space-time, depends on the presence of mass. But what if gravity could exist independent of mass, either now or during the Big Bang event. This could negate the mathematical requirement for the existence of Dark Matter – for which there is simply no evidence.
I asked ChatGPT and got the following conventional response to “Can gravity exist in the absence of mass?”:
Gravity, as we understand it, is a force that arises from mass and energy. According to Einstein’s theory of general relativity, gravity is the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. In a vacuum devoid of mass, there wouldn’t be a gravitational force, but the effects of gravity can still propagate through spacetime.
In other words, while gravity cannot exist without mass, the influence of gravity can be felt in regions of spacetime that are affected by mass elsewhere. If you think about gravitational waves, for example, they are ripples in spacetime created by massive objects, even if you’re in a region where there’s no mass directly present.
There are many more mysteries in the Universe than we can likely even contemplate. However, that we can contemplate the above is astounding.