NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Astronomers have made significant progress in measuring the expansion of the Universe thanks to new research that has improved the accuracy of determining key parameters. The results obtained will provide valuable information about the development of the Universe and its future trajectory.
Accurately measuring the expansion of the Universe has long been a challenge for scientists. In the absence of any fixed landmarks in space, determining the rate of expansion of the Universe becomes a difficult task. To overcome this obstacle, astronomers look for reliable landmarks or “standard candles” to measure the rate of expansion.
One method used by astronomers is to use objects in the Universe with a known intrinsic brightness, which allows distances to be calculated from the observed brightness. These objects, known as “standard candles”, serve as critical reference points for measuring expansion. Just as a candle dims the further away it gets, distant objects in the universe also appear dimmer.
To solve this problem, an international team led by Maria Giovanna Dainotti, assistant professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and Giada Bargiacchi, a graduate student at the Naples Meridian School (Scuola Superiore Meridionale), applied innovative statistical methods and analyzed data obtained from various standard candles. These included supernovae, quasars (powerful black holes that consume matter in the distant Universe), and gamma-ray bursts (sudden bursts of powerful radiation). By combining data obtained from several standard candles, experts were able to map large areas of the Universe.
New research has produced remarkable results, reducing uncertainty in key parameters by 35%. This increase in precision will play a decisive role in determining the fate of the Universe. It will help scientists understand whether the Universe will continue to expand indefinitely or will eventually collapse on itself.
According to lead researcher Maria Giovanna Dainotti, “These results mark a significant step forward in our understanding of the expansion of the Universe. By increasing the accuracy of key parameters, we can gain greater insight into the past and future evolution of our Universe.”
Dr. Kazunari Iwasaki, an assistant professor at NAOJ and a member of the Center for Computational Astrophysics, emphasized the importance of using multiple data sources in this research. He said: “By using different types of standard candles, we were able to cover large areas of the Universe, allowing us to gain a more complete picture of its expansion.”
The implications of this research extend beyond astronomy. It sheds light on fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and its ultimate destiny. As scientists continue to improve their measurements and explore new statistical methods, our understanding of the cosmos will undoubtedly deepen.
—
Online:
News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.
To eliminate any confusion arising from different time zones and daylight saving changes, all times displayed on our platforms are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).