The Big Bang is a widely accepted explanation for the origins of the universe; however, Brazilian physicist Juliano Cesar Silva Neves, from the University of Campinas in Brazil, has come up with a new “cyclical” theory, which challenges this prevailing concept.
His theory, published in the journal General Relativity and Gravitation, shuns the idea that the universe began with a singularity (an infinitely dense volume of energy) before expanding out into the cosmos we call home. Instead, he suggests the ‘Big Bounce’ theory, which centres on a collapse and expansion process.
The theory also looks at how ‘regular’ black holes work. That’s because the whole ‘singularity’ thing can also be used to describe the centre of a black hole.
Still with us? Basically, he believes that the universe didn’t begin with a singularity that went ‘bang’, but may have been preceded by a contraction phase.
“There are two kinds of singularity in the Universe,” Neves says. “One is the alleged cosmological singularity, or Big Bang. The other hides behind the event horizon of a black hole.
“In order to measure the rate at which the Universe is expanding with the standard cosmology, the model in which there’s a Big Bang, a mathematical function is used that depends only on cosmological time.
“Eliminating the singularity or Big Bang brings back the bouncing universe on to the theoretical stage of cosmology.”
Instead, Neves argues that the singualrity did not even exist at the beginning – which makes the idea of a ‘Big Bounce’ more likely.
“The absence of a singularity at the start of spacetime opens up the possibility that vestiges of a previous contraction phase may have withstood the phase change and may still be with us in the ongoing expansion of the Universe.”
To be honest, it might be worth not getting too invested in this theory, either – fuck knows what the profs will be saying next week. In the meantime, it might provide some great material for The Big Bang Theory’s new spin-off series, at least.
1)The energy for the “Big Bang” came from another universe which could be collapsing under gravity.
2)God or natural forces created the “Big Bang”.
3)If our Universe is in a “bounce” situation it may be that “Dark Energy” which suddenly appeared 6 billion years ago will mean that this time there will be an end to our Universe and no contraction under gravity.
4)Will Dark Energy stop just as it started thus saving our Universe?
5)Lets face it we haven’t a clue what is going on!