A recent study has revealed that time appeared to pass much slower in the early days of the universe, according to CNN. The universe, estimated to be about 13.7 billion years old, experienced a slowdown in time when it was only one billion years old. This conclusion was reached by scientists through their analysis of quasars, which are supermassive black holes that emit enormous amounts of light. Quasars are considered essential in understanding the early universe, as mentioned by an astronomer in 2018.
The research team conducting the study observed 190 quasars over a span of two decades, treating them like clocks in order to make their determination. They discovered that time seemed to move five times slower during the early stages of the universe. Geraint Lewis, the lead author of the study and a professor of astrophysics at the University of Sydney’s School of Physics and Sydney Institute for Astronomy, commented on the findings, stating that if one were present in the infant universe, time would appear normal. However, from the perspective of over 12 billion years in the future, that early period appears to have dragged.
These findings provide direct evidence that supports Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which predicted that time would move slower in the early years of an expanding universe. Einstein’s theory also aligns with the observations made during this study, reinforcing the scientific understanding of the concept.
The study’s utilization of quasars as clocks is a novel approach that allowed scientists to gain insights into the nature of the early universe. By observing these supermassive black holes that feed on gas, researchers were able to reveal the peculiar nature of time during the universe’s nascent stages.
This new research contributes to our understanding of the universe’s evolution and the fundamental laws that govern it. The ability to examine the past and witness how time behaves in different contexts is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. As technology advances and new methods of observation become available, scientists will likely continue to make further discoveries that reshape our perception of the universe and its history.
In conclusion, a recent study has found that time seemed to move five times slower in the early days of the universe. The research team arrived at this conclusion by studying quasars, supermassive black holes that emit immense amounts of light. These findings align with Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which predicts that time would move slower in the early years of an expanding universe. The study’s observations provide crucial evidence to support our understanding of the universe’s evolution and the fundamental laws of physics. This research opens up new possibilities for further exploration and deepens our knowledge of the cosmos.
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