Universe might be older and bigger

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In summary, a project to measure cosmic distances has discovered that our universe may be even larger and older than previously estimated. The Triangulum Galaxy has been found to be 15% farther away from the Milky Way than previously thought, leading to the suggestion that the Hubble constant may be 15% smaller than previously believed. This would mean the universe is actually 15.8 billion years old and 180 billion light-years wide, rather than the currently accepted 13.7 billion years and 156 billion light-years. This finding challenges current understanding of the universe's evolution.
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Than previously estimated...
A project aiming to create an easier way to measure cosmic distances has instead turned up surprising evidence that our large and ancient universe might be even bigger and older than previously thought.

If accurate, the finding would be difficult to mesh with current thinking about how the universe evolved, one scientist said.

A research team led by Alceste Bonanos at the Carnegie Institution of Washington has found that the Triangulum Galaxy, also known as M33, is about 15 percent farther away from our own Milky Way than previously calculated.

The finding, which will be detailed in an upcoming issue of Astrophysical Journal, suggests that the Hubble constant, a number that measures the expansion rate and age of the universe, is actually 15 percent smaller than other studies have found.

Currently, most astronomers agree that the value of the Hubble constant is about 71 kilometers per second per megaparsec (a megaparsec is 3.2 million light-years). If this value were smaller by 15 percent, then the universe would be older and bigger by this amount as well.

Scientists now estimate the universe to be about 13.7 billion years old (a figure that has seemed firm since 2003, based on measurements of radiation leftover from the Big Bang) and about 156 billion light-years wide.

The new finding implies that the universe is instead about 15.8 billion years old and about 180 billion light-years wide.

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Space news on Phys.org

1. How do scientists determine the age and size of the universe?

Scientists use a variety of methods to determine the age and size of the universe, including studying the cosmic microwave background radiation, observing the expansion rate of the universe, and analyzing the brightness and distance of stars and galaxies.

2. Has the age and size of the universe always been a widely accepted fact?

No, the age and size of the universe have been continuously revised and refined as new evidence and technology have become available. It was once believed that the universe was static and eternal, but the discovery of the expanding universe and the Big Bang theory shifted our understanding.

3. How does the age and size of the universe affect our understanding of its origins?

The age and size of the universe are key components in understanding its origins. The older and larger the universe is, the more time and space there has been for the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. This supports the idea of a universe that began from a singular event, such as the Big Bang.

4. What implications does an older and bigger universe have on our understanding of time and space?

An older and bigger universe challenges our perceptions of time and space, as it suggests that the universe has been expanding and evolving for billions of years. It also raises questions about the possibility of other universes or dimensions that may exist beyond our own.

5. How does the concept of an older and bigger universe impact current scientific theories and research?

The idea of an older and bigger universe has prompted scientists to continually refine and update existing theories, such as the Big Bang theory and the theory of cosmic inflation. It also provides new avenues for research and exploration, as we continue to uncover more about the universe's origins and evolution.

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