Newswise — In the realm of physics, the cosmos serves as an extraordinary testing ground to scrutinize the laws postulated by Euler and Einstein. Euler's work delved into understanding the celestial bodies' motions, while Einstein's contributions shed light on how these celestial objects warp the fabric of the Universe. However, with the unearthing of dark matter and the revelation of the Universe's accelerated expansion, the credibility of their equations has come under scrutiny. Can they truly elucidate these enigmatic phenomena? To explore this question, a team hailing from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has devised an unprecedented approach: examining time distortion. Their groundbreaking findings, featured in Nature Astronomy, mark a significant milestone.
The groundbreaking theories of Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) and Albert Einstein (1879-1955) have greatly transformed our comprehension of the Universe. Euler's influential contributions presented scientists with a formidable mathematical tool, encapsulated in his eponymous equation, enabling precise calculations of celestial objects' motions within the cosmos. On the other hand, Einstein's theory of general relativity revolutionized our understanding by revealing that the Universe is far from a static framework; rather, it can be influenced and distorted by the presence of star clusters and galaxies. Together, Euler and Einstein have paved the way for new dimensions of knowledge regarding the workings of our vast cosmos.
Physicists have rigorously examined and tested the equations formulated by Euler and Einstein using various methods, and thus far, these models have shown remarkable success. However, the scientific community faces two profound discoveries that continue to challenge and scrutinize these equations. The first is the observation of the Universe's accelerated expansion, a phenomenon that raises questions about whether the equations of Euler and Einstein can adequately explain this perplexing behavior. The second is the existence of elusive dark matter, an invisible substance believed to comprise a staggering 85% of the total matter in the cosmos. The nature and behavior of dark matter remain enigmatic, posing a significant challenge to the equations proposed by Euler and Einstein. Consequently, researchers are still grappling with the unresolved question of whether these mysterious phenomena conform to the fundamental equations of these esteemed physicists.
The missing ingredient
Camille Bonvin, the first author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Theoretical Physics at UNIGE's Faculty of Science, emphasizes the challenge faced by scientists. The existing cosmological data currently lack the capability to distinguish between a theory that violates Einstein's equations and one that violates Euler's equation. This crucial limitation is precisely what their study seeks to address. Additionally, they introduce a mathematical approach aimed at resolving this dilemma, which serves as the culmination of an extensive ten-year research endeavor. By providing insights into this matter, Bonvin and their team aim to contribute significantly to the ongoing pursuit of understanding the fundamental nature of the Universe.
In the quest to discern the validity of Euler's and Einstein's equations at the outermost boundaries of the Universe, researchers faced a significant obstacle: the absence of a crucial element, namely, the measurement of time distortion. Until now, their understanding was limited to measuring the velocities of celestial objects and the combined distortion of space and time. However, a breakthrough has been achieved in this regard. Camille Bonvin highlights the development of a novel methodology that allows for the assessment of this additional measurement, representing a significant milestone. By gaining access to this previously elusive measurement of time distortion, researchers have embarked on uncharted territory, shedding new light on the enigmatic workings of the cosmos.
The presence of time distortion that deviates from the predicted combination of time and space, as described by the theory of general relativity, indicates a potential failure of Einstein's model. Similarly, if the observed time distortion does not align with the velocities of galaxies calculated using Euler's equation, it suggests the potential invalidity of the latter. Levon Pogosian, a co-author of the study and a professor in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University in Canada, highlights the profound implications of such discrepancies. By investigating these deviations, researchers aim to uncover whether there are new forces or forms of matter that exist in the Universe, which would fundamentally challenge the foundations of both Einstein's and Euler's theories. This exploration opens the door to unraveling hitherto unknown aspects of the Universe and expanding our understanding of its intricate workings.
Reality check
These findings will greatly aid various missions striving to ascertain the cause of the rapid growth of the Universe and the characteristics of mysterious matter. These missions involve the EUCLID space telescope, scheduled for a July 2023 launch by the European Space Agency (ESA) and UNIGE, and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which commenced its 5-year endeavor in Arizona in 2021. Additionally, the international SKA (Square Kilometre Array) colossal radio telescope undertaking in South Africa and Australia is slated to commence observations in 2028/29.
"Our approach will be incorporated into these diverse missions. This is already true for DESI, with whom we have established external collaboration as a result of this study," expresses Camille Bonvin enthusiastically. The team of researchers has effectively evaluated their model using simulated collections of galaxies. The subsequent phase will entail testing it with the initial data provided by DESI, while also identifying and mitigating potential systematic limitations that could impede its implementation.
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