Data collected by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope for 30 years told astronomers that “something strange” was happening with the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang
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Data collected by the Hubble Space Telescope over three decades has led NASA scientists to the startling conclusion that “something strange” is happening in the universe.
Astronomers have used the device to find out how fast the universe is expanding.
Hubble data, released in 1990, helped identify 40 “mile markers” for space and time to measure speed.
But NASA scientists are puzzled, as there seems to be a mismatch between its current speed compared to observations after the Big Bang, which is said to have been about 14 billion years ago.
The organization said in a statement: “The pursuit of the speed of expansion of the universe began in the 1920s with measurements by astronomers Edwin P. Hubble and Georges Lemaître.
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 when it was deployed by the Discovery space shuttle (
Image:
PA)
“In 1998, this led to the discovery of ‘dark energy’ – a mysterious repulsive force that accelerates the expansion of the universe.
“In recent years, thanks to data from Hubble and other telescopes, astronomers have discovered another twist: a mismatch between the rate of expansion measured in the local universe, compared to independent observations from just after the Big Bang, which predict different values of expansion.
“The reason for this discrepancy remains a mystery. But Hubble’s data, covering various space objects that serve as distance markers, supports the idea that something strange is happening, possibly involving brand new physics.
Using the data, astronomers predicted that the universe would double in the next ten billion years.
Teams continue to unravel the data to uncover the secrets of the universe.
Astronomers make their way through piles of data (
Image:
Getty Images)
Adam Rees of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, added:
“I don’t really care what the value of the extension is, but I like to use it to learn about the universe.”
Earlier this week, TikToker, which claims to have been a traveler since 2236, issued a stern warning to its followers, including a claim that Europe would be hit by a “deadly meteor” in the autumn.
The user who publishes under the name @realtiktoktimetraveller He also claims that humans will be in contact with an alien race this summer and that a hacker is coming to close millions of social media accounts because they are against the platform.
The warnings read: “Many people still do not believe me. I am a true traveler in the time of 2236 and I came on this date and time to warn you of the upcoming events this year.
“On July 7, humans will make their first real contact with an alien species called Arzax in southern Alaska, United States.
“On August 13, a hacker named Stak will delete more than 36.7 million TikTok accounts due to his strong convictions against social media.
“On October 12, there will be a deadly meteor called the Draconids, which will hit Europe, causing many casualties.”
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