'Something is seriously wrong': James Webb reveals shocking mystery in Universe’s expansion
Produced by: BT Desk
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, B. Frye (University of Arizona), R. Windhorst (Arizona State University), S. Cohen (Arizona State University), J. D’Silva (University of Western Australia, Perth), A. Koekemoer (Space Telescope Science Institute), J. Summers (Arizona State University).
Supernova discovery
James Webb spotted an ancient supernova magnified and split into three points of light through gravitational lensing, revealing critical data on the universe's expansion.
Hubble tension
The supernova study adds evidence to the ongoing Hubble tension, where measurements show differing rates of cosmic expansion, suggesting flaws in our understanding
Credit: ESA
Conflicting rates
Astronomers found that distant measurements support current models, but nearby observations, like Cepheid stars, contradict them with faster expansion rates.
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Standard candles
Type Ia supernovae serve as "standard candles" for astronomers, providing a consistent measure of distances, essential for calculating the universe's expansion rate.
Gravitational lensing
A galaxy in front of the supernova bent and magnified its light, allowing scientists to study its behavior and add new data to the Hubble constant debate.
Credit: NASA, ESA & L. Calçada
Expansion puzzle
The universe's expansion appears inconsistent across distances, challenging current models that rely on a constant rate driven by dark energy.
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nasas deepest 3d fly through of the universe 1050x700
nasas deepest 3d fly through of the universe 1050x700
Cepheid variables
Closer measurements using Cepheid stars indicate a faster cosmic expansion, at odds with distant observations, deepening the mystery in cosmology.
Credit: NASA
Cosmic crisis
The ongoing discrepancy in measuring the universe's expansion, known as the Hubble tension, continues to suggest a major flaw in the standard cosmological model.
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Future observations
Astronomers plan to continue studying other supernova to gather more data, hoping to unravel the cosmic conundrum and refine our understanding of the universe's expansion.
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