Our universe may be twice as old as current estimates, according to new research that challenges the dominant cosmological model and sheds new light on the so-called “impossible problem of the first galaxy.”

“Our newly developed model extends the galaxy formation time by several billion years, making the universe 26.7 billion years rather than 13.7 billion years, as previously thought,” said lead author Rajendra Gupta, an assistant professor of physics in the University’s Department of Natural Sciences. . ottawa

For years, astronomers and physicists have calculated the age of our universe by measuring the time elapsed since the Big Bang and studying the oldest stars based on the redshift of light from distant galaxies. Thus, in 2021, the age of our universe was estimated as 13.797 billion years using the Lambda-CDM compatibility model, thanks to new methods and developments in technology.

However, many scientists were stunned by the existence of stars like Methuselah, which appear to be older than the estimated age of our universe, and the discovery of early galaxies at a high evolutionary stage, made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope. . Existing about 300 million years after the Big Bang, these galaxies appear to have a maturity level and mass typically associated with billions of years of cosmic evolution. Plus, they’re surprisingly small in size, which adds another layer of mystery to the equation.

Zwicky’s theory of tired light proposes that the redshift of light from distant galaxies occurs due to the gradual loss of energy by photons over large cosmic distances. However, this appeared to contradict the observations. However, Gupta found that “by allowing this theory to coexist with an expanding universe, it becomes possible to reinterpret the redshift as a hybrid phenomenon rather than a purely expansion”.

In addition to Zwicky’s tired theory of light, Gupta introduces the idea of ​​the evolution of the “coupling constant” as proposed by Paul Dirac. Binding constants are fundamental physical constants that govern interactions between particles. According to Dirac, these constants can change over time. By allowing them to evolve, the time frame for the formation of early galaxies observed at high redshifts by the Webb telescope can be extended from a few hundred million years to several billion years. This provides a more realistic explanation for the high level of evolution and mass observed in these ancient galaxies.

In addition, Gupta suggests that the traditional interpretation of the “cosmological constant”, representing dark energy responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, needs to be revised. Instead, it proposes a constant that takes into account the evolution of matching constants. This modification of the cosmological model helps unravel the mystery of small-sized galaxies observed in the early universe, allowing for more precise observations. Source