The Fine Structure Constant, also known as the Sommerfeld constant, is a dimensionless quantity that characterizes the strength of the electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles. It is denoted by the symbol α and has a value of approximately 1/137.
This phenomenon, known as the "fine structure constant problem", is still a topic of ongoing research and debate among scientists. Some theories propose that it may be due to the effects of dark energy or the presence of an extra dimension in our universe.
The Fine Structure Constant is typically measured through experiments involving the scattering of electrons or the emission and absorption of photons. The most precise measurement to date was done using quantum electrodynamics calculations in 2018, which yielded a value of α = 1/137.035999046.
While there have been some studies and observations that suggest a possible variation of the Fine Structure Constant across the sky, the results are still inconclusive and require further verification. Some recent studies have found evidence for a varying α, while others have not.
If the Fine Structure Constant is indeed found to vary across the distant sky, it would have significant implications for our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and the nature of our universe. It could potentially challenge the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics, and open up new avenues of research in cosmology and particle physics.