A remarkable new study is shaking up scientists’ understanding of the universe by proposing that it may be almost twice as old as previously believed.
Traditionally, the age of the universe has been estimated at around 14 billion years, with further research in 2020 narrowing it down to 13.8 billion years. However, the discovery of two galaxies by the James Webb Space Telescope in 2021, which were older and more developed than expected, has triggered a reevaluation.
The observations made by the telescope indicated that these galaxies formed approximately 350 million and 450 million years after the Big Bang, challenging previous assumptions. Co-authors of the study described the findings as groundbreaking and likened it to a new chapter in astronomy.
The revelations not only challenge our understanding of galaxy formation but also have implications for the age of the entire universe. Rajendra Gupta, an adjunct professor of physics at the University of Ottawa, published a paper proposing that the universe is approximately 26.7 billion years old.
Age determination of the universe involves analyzing the redshift of light from distant galaxies. The redshift occurs as the universe expands and galaxies move farther away, causing the emitted light waves to lengthen and appear redder.
Gupta’s paper introduces Zwicky’s tired light theory, which suggests that the redshift is a result of photons losing energy over vast cosmic distances. This theory conflicted with previous observations when applied to a universe that was believed to be 13.8 billion years old. However, Gupta suggests that by allowing the tired light theory to coexist with the expanding universe, the redshift can be reinterpreted as a hybrid phenomenon, not solely caused by expansion.
Another theory known as “coupling constants,” proposed by Paul Dirac, posits that the strength of particle interactions may vary. Accepting this hypothesis, the two older galaxies discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope are seen as less mysterious and can be considered several billion years old.
Professor Gupta argues that this alternative explanation offers a more plausible solution to the “early galaxy problem” and sheds light on their advanced state of development.
The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, presents a thought-provoking perspective that challenges the prevailing understanding of the age of the universe.