Skip to content
Refpropos.

Refpropos.

  • Home
  • Automobile
  • HVAC
  • Supercar
  • Volvo
  • Entrepreneur
  • Toggle search form
The universe isn’t just expanding—it may be spinning

The universe isn’t just expanding—it may be spinning

Posted on April 17, 2025 By rehan.rafique No Comments on The universe isn’t just expanding—it may be spinning

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡

The prevailing consensus in astrophysics is that the universe has spent the past 13-or-so billion years expanding outward in all directions, ever since the Big Bang. It’s expanding at this very moment, and will continue to do so until… a number of possible theoretical endings. Meanwhile, the specific rate at which the universe is growing remains a longstanding point of contention known as the “Hubble tension.” However, there may be a way to finally ease that tension—you just need to put a slight spin on everything.

In simplest terms, the rate at which the universe expands on paper doesn’t match actual astronomical observations. That speed—called the Hubble Constant—is measured in units of kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc), with a megaparsec measuring about 300,000 light years. The most widely accepted theoretical model, the Lambda/Cold Dark Matter model (ΛCDM), says the universe is growing at 67-68 km/s/Mpc. But what astronomers see through their equipment is a little faster, at about 73 km/s/Mpc. And therein lies the Hubble tension.

In a study published in the April issue of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, a team of researchers including experts at the University of Hawai’i’s Institute for Astronomy argue that introducing a miniscule amount of rotation to standard mathematical model of the universe may provide the way to align both expansion theories.

“Much to our surprise, we found that our model with rotation resolves the paradox without contradicting current astronomical measurements,” study co-author and astrophysicist? István Szapudi said in a statement. “Even better, it is compatible with other models that assume rotation.”

In addition to its mathematical compatibility, the concept also doesn’t break any of the known laws of physics. The problem is detecting this spin, given just how slowly the universe may be turning. But while it is difficult to discern with current tools, the spin is  still fast enough to influence the expansion of space over the eons. Szapudi and their colleagues’ new model indicates the universe finishes a single rotation once every 500 billion years—meaning there’s still quite a bit of time before the universe completes its first full circuit.

“To paraphrase the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who famously said ‘Panta Rhei’ (everything moves), we thought that perhaps ‘Panta Kykloutai,’ everything turns,” said Szapudi.

Looking ahead, astronomers hope to construct a full computer model of the universe based in part of their new theory. From there, they will hopefully be able to pinpoint signs of cosmic spinning to search for among the stars.

 

More deals, reviews, and buying guides

The PopSci team has tested hundreds of products and spent thousands of hours trying to find the best gear and gadgets you can buy.

 

Andrew Paul is Popular Science’s staff writer covering tech news.

Automobile

Post navigation

Previous Post: Limited edition G-Class is homage to 280 GE
Next Post: Kia anuncia el lanzamiento de su nuevo sistema de reconocimiento de voz generativo basado en IA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Why Sound Is the Most Underrated Part of Your Business Strategy
  • BangShift.com NITRO is BACK at IHRA! The IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series Visits National Trail Raceway: Top Fuel And Funny Car Eliminations Action Is Below!
  • 2026 BMW M2 Track Package Shows A Huge Wing and Nürburgring Focus
  • Why Your Gas Cap Might Be on the ‘Wrong’ Side and Why It Actually Makes Sense : Automotive Addicts
  • A Custom One-Off V12 Exotic With Vintage Testa Rossa Bones

Categories

  • Automobile
  • Entrepreneur
  • HVAC
  • Supercar
  • Volvo

Copyright © 2025 Refpropos..

Powered by PressBook Blog WordPress theme