Coma Cluster Findings Deepen 'Hubble Crisis,' Challenge Cosmological Models
January 22, 2025This proximity of the Coma Cluster underscores the reality of the Hubble tension, countering claims that it may simply be a measurement error.
The Hubble–Lemaître law connects the distance of galaxies to their velocity of recession, with the Hubble constant quantifying this relationship.
Astronomers are grappling with a significant issue known as the Hubble tension, which reveals inconsistencies in the expansion rate of the universe over time.
This tension arises from a notable disagreement between measurements from the early universe and those from more recent observations, challenging our understanding of cosmology.
Recent findings indicate that the Coma Cluster is actually 38 million light-years closer than previously predicted, further complicating the Hubble tension.
Scolnic's team utilized observations of 13 Type Ia supernovae to estimate the distance to the Coma Cluster, yielding a Hubble constant estimate between 74.3 and 78.7 km/s/Mpc.
Resolving the Hubble tension may necessitate new cosmological models or further measurements, with various theories being proposed, including exotic dark energy and new particle physics.
Current measurements suggest a Hubble constant of approximately 73.2 km/s/Mpc, contrasting with the standard model's prediction of 67.4 km/s/Mpc based on cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations.
A key focus in this ongoing investigation is the Coma Cluster, located about 321 million light-years away, which contains over 1,000 galaxies and serves as a critical point for distance measurements.
At the recent American Astronomical Society meeting, Daniel Scolnic from Duke University presented findings that exacerbate the Hubble tension, suggesting it may represent a 'Hubble crisis'.
While measurements from the early universe align with predictions based on CMB radiation, nearby measurements reveal significant discrepancies.
The findings related to the Coma Cluster have been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, marking a pivotal development in the field of cosmology.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources
Space • Jan 22, 2025
Hubble tension is now in our cosmic backyard, sending cosmology into crisisSky & Telescope • Jan 22, 2025
New Distance Measurement Highlights Cosmic Tension