Liputan6.com, Jakarta – Cosmic layers, or faults in the worldfirst introduced by physicist Tom WB Kibble in the 1970s. This concept describes cosmic defects that were created in the early stages of the universe.
Recently, astrophysicists said they may have found evidence of cosmic strings. This new discovery could open new perspectives on the evolution of the cosmos.
Launching the Space page on Monday (25/11/2024), a team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics reported a cosmic string candidate named ‘CSc-1’. This research was published in the journal Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège.
This study focuses on the analysis of a bright astronomical object called SDSSJ110429.61+233150.3, a pair of galaxies that is the main object of study. The researchers suspect that these two galaxies are actually just one galaxy that looks like two due to the phenomenon of gravitational lensing.
Gravitational lensing is an effect that occurs when massive celestial bodies, such as galaxies or clusters of galaxies, cause space-time to bend. This curvature causes the path of light from objects behind it to appear distorted, as if passing through a large lens.
The object that causes this distortion is called a gravitational lens. Regarding SDSSJ110429.61 + 233150.3, the researchers offer a more daring hypothesis.
They suspect that the double appearance of this galaxy is not only due to normal gravitational lensing, but may also be influenced by the presence of cosmic rays. If there are cosmic strings in this area, the faults could cause further distortions in the light passing through them, giving the galaxy an irregular appearance.
2024-11-25 22:00:00
#Scientists #claim #cracks #universe
**What is the primary evidence presented in the article that suggests the existence of cosmic strings?** (This question focuses on the core scientific claim and the supporting data.)
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Could We Have Found Cracks in the Universe?
Welcome to World Today News! Today, we’re diving deep into a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite our understanding of the cosmos. Joining us are Dr. Anya Petrova, a leading astrophysicist specializing in gravitational lensing, and Dr. James Lee, a renowned expert in cosmology and the early universe.
**Part 1: Unveiling Cosmic Strings**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Petrova, let’s start with the basics. What are cosmic strings and why are they such a captivating concept in astrophysics?
**Dr. Petrova:** Cosmic strings are essentially theoretical, one-dimensional defects in the fabric of spacetime itself, remnants from the very early universe. Imagine the universe as a cooling soup after the Big Bang. As it cooled, different regions solidified at different rates.
These discrepancies could have created thin, incredibly dense strands of energy – cosmic strings – stretching across vast cosmic distances. Discovering them would be a monumental confirmation of our understanding of the early universe.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, how likely is it that these cosmic strings actually exist?
**Dr. Lee:** While theoretically predicted decades ago, direct observation of cosmic strings has been elusive. Their incredibly thin nature and the immense distances involved make them incredibly difficult to detect. But this new research offers tantalizing clues that warrant further investigation.
**Part 2: The “Double Galaxy” Phenomenon**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Petrova, your team’s research focuses on a particular astronomical object called SDSSJ110429.61+233150.3. What makes this object so special?
**Dr. Petrova:** This object appears as two separate galaxies, but we suspect it might actually be a single galaxy distorted by gravitational lensing. Gravitational lensing is a fascinating phenomenon where massive objects warp spacetime, bending the light from objects behind them and creating multiple images.
**Interviewer:** But gravitational lensing alone doesn’t fully explain the observed distortion in this case, does it?
**Dr. Petrova:**
Exactly! We propose a more radical hypothesis: the strange double appearance could also be influenced by the presence of a cosmic string. Imagine a cosmic string passing near the lensed galaxy. Its immense density could further warp space-time, amplifying the distortion and creating the illusion of two galaxies.
**Part 3: Implications for the Future**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Lee, what are the larger implications if cosmic strings are indeed confirmed through further observation?
**Dr. Lee:**
If confirmed, this discovery would revolutionize our understanding of fundamental physics. It would offer unprecedented insights into the extreme conditions present in the early universe and could shed light on mysteries like the origin of dark matter and the acceleration of the universe’s expansion.
**Interviewer:** What next steps are being taken to investigate this captivating possibility?
**Dr. Petrova:**
Further observations using advanced telescopes are crucial. We need to gather more data to confirm the presence of the cosmic string candidate and rule out alternate explanations for the observed distortion.
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery!
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your expertise with us today. This is undoubtedly a story to follow closely in the years to come.
