A cyclic universe model, which involves a series of big bangs and big crunches, offers a potential resolution to the cosmological constant problem. The cosmological constant, representing the energy density of empty space, is significantly lower than predictions from particle physics, creating a major discrepancy in cosmological theories. Recent discussions highlight the renewed interest in the cosmological constant, despite its historical abandonment by Einstein, as new evidence suggests that scenarios like the Big Freeze and Big Rip may be more plausible than the Big Crunch.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, cosmologists, and physics enthusiasts interested in the evolution of the universe and the theoretical frameworks addressing cosmic expansion and the cosmological constant.
http://www.newscientistspace.com/ar...verse-can-explain-cosmological-constant.html"A cyclic universe, which bounces through a series of big bangs and "big crunches", could solve the puzzle of our cosmological constant, physicists suggest.
The cosmological constant represents the energy of empty space, and is thought to be the most likely explanation for the observed speeding up of the expansion of the universe. But its measured value is a googol (1 followed by 100 zeroes) times smaller than that predicted by particle physics theories. It is a discrepancy that gives cosmologists a real headache.