For a long time, Einstein's theory is that light travels at a constant speed. This has shaped much of modern astronomy. A group of scientists though is challenging this theory of Einstein. Einstein's theory could be challenged by a new theory if it's proved true.
Einstein has said that the speed of light is constant. That means that light travels at the same speed even in different situations. Light then has been constant from the start of the universe. That theory is being challenged now by a group of scientists, who say that the speed of light has been much faster in the early universe.
The early universe had fluctuations which have caused some of the first structures such as galaxies to appear. These fluctuations still exist today in the form of a spectral index, which is part of the cosmic microwave background. These fluctuations are said to be influenced by differing speeds of light. This has been the theory suggested by Professor Joao Magueijo from the Imperial College London along with Dr. Niayesh Afshordi from the Perimeter Institute in Canada.
From this theory they have created a model that has put an exact figure on the spectral index. This model could soon be tested, as more precise readings of the figure have been made. The figure has been so precise that it nearly matches the readings taken of the cosmic microwave background.
Professor Magueijo said that when they first proposed the theory in the 1990s, it was so radical, but he added that numerical prediction would help cosmologists to test if their theory is true. He further observed that if it is proven to be true, then the laws of nature were different in the early universe as compared to the present.
According to the new theory proposed, the speed of light has been much higher in the early universe. This allowed light to bridge the distant edges of the universe as it expanded, according to the Imperial College London's site. When the universe has expanded enough, this speed also dropped so as to compensate for this expansion.
There are other theories that are proposed, as Science Daily notes. One of these theories is the inflation theory, wherein it states that the early universe expanded rapidly until it evened out at some point in time. This would have then preserved the current laws of physics as we know now, though that would also mean having to create what is known as an inflation field. The inflation field is said to be a set of conditions that only existed in the early universe to preserve the laws of physics.
With a new theory being proposed, this could very well change how people know physics. This could also change astronomy as it is known now. Einstein's theory could be challenged by a new theory, if this is proved true. Another that could help in knowing about the early universe is a new family of stars that might hold the key to it.
