This could suggest one of the underlying theories of physics may be incorrect.
I call them megamasers…
Earlier observations challenging theoretical values for the Hubble Constant relied on accurate measurements of the distance to far-flung galaxies.
It is fairly straightforward to measure the rate at which objects including galaxies are receding away from us.
What is more challenging is finding the distance to these bodies.
However, observations suggest a significantly higher rate of expansion, closer to 74 km/sec/Mpc.
Those findings, roughly 10 percent higher than predictions, pose a significant mystery in cosmology.
The easiest of these, for objects close to us, is called the parallax method.
Two images are taken of star or other object six months apart.
The first such measurement of the distance to a star was completed in 1838.
Beyond a certain distance, this effect grows too small to measure.
Then, astronomers use standard candles objects with a standard brightness.
My, what big ears you have!
(Lambda refers to Einsteins cosmological constant, representing dark energy.)
This framework also provides our basic understanding of the evolution of the Universe since the Big Bang.
The video below shows Professor Wendy Freedman looks at the conundrum posed by differing values of the Hubble constant.
Astronomers set their sights on four galaxies, found between 168 and 431 million light years from Earth.
When the study was complete, researchers reached roughly the same value as most experimental data 73.9 km/sec/Mpc.
Science is, ideally, based on balancing the predictions of theory against the reality of experiment.
This article was originally published onThe Cosmic CompanionbyJames Maynard, founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion.
it’s possible for you to read this original piecehere.
Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companionis also available as a weekly podcast, carried on all major podcast providers.
