“We need to consider alternatives to dark matter that better explain cosmological observations” (see comments for discussion)
“We need to consider alternatives to dark matter that better explain cosmological observations” (see comments for discussion)
Cosmology does not need dark matter or dark energy in an expanding universe that allows the constants of nature to evolve, and light loses energy as it travels vast distances.
edit: title was modified to call attention to the discussion in the comments
The article is by Rajendra Gupta, Adjunct professor Physics @ L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
First few lines:
Do constants of nature — the numbers that determine how things behave, like the speed of light — change over time as the universe expands? Does light get a little tired travelling vast cosmic distances? It was believed that dark matter and dark energy explained these cosmological phenomena, but recent research indicates that our universe has been expanding without dark matter or dark energy.
Doing away with dark matter and dark energy resolves the “impossible early galaxy problem,” that arises when trying to account for galaxies that do not adhere to expectations regarding to size and age. Finding an alternative to dark matter and energy that complies with existing cosmological observations, including galaxy distribution, is possible.
“We need to consider alternatives to dark matter that better explain cosmological observations” (see comments for discussion)
Astronomers are surprised to learn that many observations show a complete absence of dark matter or dark matter-deficient structures. This leads one to question its existence.
This is evidence for dark matter, not against it.
41Wow, I'm actually really glad there's an xkcd for this because I do get so tired of videos and articles click-baiting "Dark Matter is nonsense, finally a real alternative" and it's always always always some variant on "maybe gravity is dynamic over distance/time/aether" or "maybe energy gets tired" or some other silly stuff that doesn't fit all the data.
At least invent some whackier new ideas! What happened to universe-long unbounded superstrings? Ultrafast orbiting cosmic mesons create relativity drag on galaxies? Maybe reality is shaped like a bowl of gravity-fruitloops floating in dark energy milk? Give me something fun to work with here, no wonder sci-fi sucks so much now!
22It does raise a pretty big problem though.
How did it end up with no dark matter? We don't have a good answer usually.
2The problem being that none of the alternative models have good explanations, either.
It's not like astronomers like dark matter. Most kind of hate it. But every time people try to sell alternate models, they spend their time trying to find examples that raise corner cases for dark matter while ignoring the fact that their favourite models also don't address the issue.
Which, you know, is acting in bad faith.
18Why not treat dark matter like crude oil and say supercivs have been using it as fuel?
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If Tired Light boosters lost energy at the rate they believe light does, they'd have run out of steam by now.
7Two equally plausible explanations:
- aliens
- god(s)
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