What ideas does the discrepancy of CMB photons affect?

In summary, the article discusses a recent discovery that challenges the predictions of cosmological theory. The amount of CMB radiation near clusters of galaxies is greater than expected, which contradicts the idea that CMB photons should interact with these clusters and get kicked to higher energies. This finding may require scientists to rethink their understanding of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect and the behavior of cluster gas.
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An article on news.discovery.com titled, "The Universe is Precisely 13.75 Billion Years Old" on Feb. 4 says:

"The amount of CMB radiation spotted near clusters of galaxies is greater than expected. According to [cosmological] theory, CMB photons should interact with these clusters, getting kicked to higher energies. WMAP cannot detect these higher energy photons, so there should be a deficit of CMB photons around clusters. This is not the case and scientists will probably be confused by this for some time to come."

What ideas of cosmological theory might this make us rethink?
 
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Space news on Phys.org
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For anyone wanting to read the full article it can be found http://news.discovery.com/space/the-universe-is-precisely-1375-billion-years-old.html".

In answer to your question, it is a bit confusing as this pop-sci article doesn't mention enough specifics to know what it is referring to exactly (i.e. what study has found a discrepancy?). What is being referred to is the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, and we have observed this in clusters (for instance read up on the South Pole Telescope). I'm not completely sure what the latest observational data of the SZ effect says, but I wasn't aware of any glaring discrepancies to date?
 
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The WMAP results are not discrepant with other SZ observations. The problem is that the detected signal is 0.5-0.7 times that predicted from simulations, analytical calculations and X-ray observations. The result is more significant for low mass clusters and means we probably don't fully understand the cluster gas.
 

1. How does the discrepancy of CMB photons affect our understanding of the Big Bang theory?

The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the remnant radiation from the early stages of the universe, and it provides crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory. Any discrepancies in the CMB can affect our understanding of the Big Bang theory by potentially challenging certain aspects of the model. For example, if the CMB is not uniform as predicted by the theory, it could indicate the presence of unknown physical processes or structures in the early universe.

2. Can the discrepancy of CMB photons affect our understanding of dark matter and dark energy?

Dark matter and dark energy are two of the biggest mysteries in modern cosmology. The CMB is an important tool for studying these phenomena as it can reveal their effects on the large-scale structure of the universe. Any discrepancies in the CMB can provide clues about the properties of dark matter and dark energy, potentially leading to a better understanding of these elusive components of the universe.

3. How do scientists measure the discrepancy of CMB photons?

Scientists use highly sensitive instruments, such as the Planck satellite, to measure the temperature and polarization of the CMB. These measurements are then compared to predictions from theoretical models to identify any discrepancies. The discrepancies can also be quantified using statistical analysis techniques.

4. Is the discrepancy of CMB photons a recent discovery?

The discrepancy of CMB photons has been a topic of study for several decades. However, advancements in technology and data analysis have allowed scientists to make more precise measurements and identify smaller discrepancies. The most recent and notable discrepancy in the CMB is the lack of alignment between the temperature and polarization patterns, known as the "axis of evil".

5. How does the discrepancy of CMB photons affect other areas of scientific research?

The CMB is not only important for understanding the early universe but also has implications for other areas of research. For example, the CMB can provide insights into the nature of inflation, the expansion rate of the universe, and the geometry of space. Any discrepancies in the CMB can lead to new discoveries and advancements in these fields of study.

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