Cosmic inflation: 'Spectacular' discovery hailed

Biggles · 03-17-14, 08:11 PM

I'm fairly dense for a space nut, so I'll just let the article do the talking:

Quote:

Scientists say they have extraordinary new evidence to support a Big Bang Theory for the origin of the Universe.

Researchers believe they have found the signal left in the sky by the super-rapid expansion of space that must have occurred just fractions of a second after everything came into being.

It takes the form of a distinctive twist in the oldest light detectable with telescopes.

The work will be scrutinised carefully, but already there is talk of a Nobel.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26605974

Very interesting and exciting stuff. It's amazing what we humans can do as a species; to actually find traces of the very first moments of our entire world, it's staggeringly impressive stuff!

Wolferz · 03-17-14, 09:18 PM

Did they contradict themselves? Expansion theory or Big Bang?
It would be nice if they made up my mind.

The most notable evidence suggests a huge spiral as a result of whatever happened in the beginning. Fibonacci anyone?

Jimbuna · 03-18-14, 07:39 AM

Quote:

It's amazing what we humans can do as a species; to actually find traces of the very first moments of our entire world, it's staggeringly impressive stuff

Can't find traces of a plane that went missing less than two weeks ago though

Skybird · 03-18-14, 08:24 AM

Gravitation waves. A theoretical prediction by Einstein that seems to have been verified.

u crank · 03-18-14, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Can't find traces of a plane that went missing less than two weeks ago though

Maybe the Malaysians could hire these scientists for a day or two.

Gargamel · 03-19-14, 08:53 AM

I'm stoked to see if the data pans out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Gravitation waves. A theoretical prediction by Einstein that seems to have been verified.

Actually, it wasn't the einstein gravity waves they were looking for in particular, but the waves that remained from the big bang. Gravity waves can be caused by a Super Nova collapsing into a black hole and other events. These were a specific type of gravity wave. I saw a clip somewhere where a TV crew was able to interview the guy who proposed these specific waves (forget his name), upon their arrival to talk to him, he had not yet heard of the discovery and was surprised at the news.

NeonSamurai · 03-19-14, 09:30 AM

We'll see. I still have huge issues with the concept of the big bang and associated theories. It is too genesis like (poof there was something out of nothing), and I often think the scientists involved spend too much time trying to "prove" the theory which can cause a form of unintentional cherry picking.

Oh and expansion theory i believe is the theory for what happened right after the big bang. It is pretty much explained as kind of like an expanding balloon.

vanjast · 03-20-14, 03:42 AM

More smoke and mirrors...
Actually stating the claim before the data is analysed.. cart-before-the-horse ?
Sound more like the Politics of Science than research, to me

Gargamel · 03-20-14, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanjast

More smoke and mirrors...
Actually stating the claim before the data is analysed.. cart-before-the-horse ?
Sound more like the Politics of Science than research, to me

They analyzed the data for 3 years before publishing. The authors/researchers stated they welcome all peer review and criticism, because that's how it's done.

Maybe their work is flawed, but they couldnt find any. That could just be observers' bias, or it could be legit.

Only time, and peer review, will tell.

vanjast · 03-20-14, 01:31 PM

Even so... Big Bang is a flawed concept, but I enjoy the new series though.

03-17-14, 09:18 PM	#2
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	Did they contradict themselves? Expansion theory or Big Bang? It would be nice if they made up my mind. The most notable evidence suggests a huge spiral as a result of whatever happened in the beginning. Fibonacci anyone? __________________ Tomorrow never comes

03-18-14, 08:24 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,603 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Gravitation waves. A theoretical prediction by Einstein that seems to have been verified. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-19-14, 09:30 AM	#7
NeonSamurai Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Socialist Republic of Kanadia Posts: 3,044 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	We'll see. I still have huge issues with the concept of the big bang and associated theories. It is too genesis like (poof there was something out of nothing), and I often think the scientists involved spend too much time trying to "prove" the theory which can cause a form of unintentional cherry picking. Oh and expansion theory i believe is the theory for what happened right after the big bang. It is pretty much explained as kind of like an expanding balloon. __________________ SH3 Newbie Guide Links and other helpfull stuff

03-20-14, 03:42 AM	#8
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,733 Downloads: 825 Uploads: 4	More smoke and mirrors... Actually stating the claim before the data is analysed.. cart-before-the-horse ? Sound more like the Politics of Science than research, to me

03-20-14, 01:31 PM	#10
vanjast Sea Lord Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere else now Posts: 1,733 Downloads: 825 Uploads: 4	Even so... Big Bang is a flawed concept, but I enjoy the new series though.