Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the nature of time in the early universe by confirming that time appeared to run five times slower in the distant past. This extraordinary phenomenon has been revealed through the use of quasars, extremely bright cosmic objects, as “clocks” in a groundbreaking study.
Led by Geraint Lewis, an astrophysicist at the University of Sydney, the research team utilized the theory of relativity proposed by Albert Einstein to predict that the expansion of space should result in a slower passage of time in the distant universe. Previous studies had relied on supernovas, bright exploding stars, as cosmic clocks to demonstrate that time ran twice as slowly when the universe was half its present age.
In this new study, the researchers employed even brighter quasars to delve further into the history of the 13.8-billion-year-old universe. The observations indicated that just over a billion years after the Big Bang, time appeared to flow five times slower. This remarkable finding was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
It is important to note that while time may seem to slow down from our perspective, Lewis emphasized that the experience of time in those distant places remains the same. He explained that if one were transported back 10 billion years and equipped with a stopwatch next to a quasar, time would appear normal, with one second equaling one second.
To measure this phenomenon known as cosmological time dilation, Lewis and statistician Brendon Brewer from the University of Auckland analyzed data from 190 quasars collected over two decades. Quasars are believed to be supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies, making them invaluable beacons for studying the universe.
However, using quasars as cosmic clocks has proven more challenging than using supernovas due to the need for reliable ticks or flashes. Previous attempts had yielded inconclusive results, leading to various theories and doubts about the accuracy of distance measurements or the validity of cosmological principles.
Nonetheless, this latest research not only confirms the use of quasars as reliable markers of time but also reaffirms the accuracy of Einstein’s theory of relativity. The team’s success can be attributed to the abundance of quasar data available and recent advancements in statistical understanding.
Lewis likened the process to deciphering a fireworks display, where seemingly random bursts have underlying patterns and timescales. By unraveling this “firework display” and comprehending the fluctuations caused by the consumption of material by black holes, the researchers have successfully established quasars as standard markers of time in the early universe.
This groundbreaking study opens up new avenues for exploring the nature of time and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the universe during its infancy. The findings not only deepen our understanding of the cosmos but also highlight the enduring relevance of Einstein’s theories in shaping our understanding of the universe.
Further research in this area could shed more light on the fundamental laws governing time and space, bringing us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe’s origins and evolution.
