Researchers from Keio University have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding the early universe by measuring the temperature of cosmic microwave background radiation from seven billion years ago. Their findings indicate that the temperature was approximately 5.13 K, which is nearly double the current temperature of 2.7 K.
This research, led by doctoral student Tatsuya Kotani and Professor Tomoharu Oka, utilized archived data from the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) located in Chile. The team focused on light emitted by a distant quasar, which had traveled through space for billions of years, allowing them to assess the universe”s thermal state during that era.
The results align closely with the predictions of the Big Bang model, which asserts that as the universe expands, it cools over time. This cooling process means that the universe must have been hotter in its earlier stages. The precision of this measurement is noteworthy, representing the most accurate assessment to date at such an intermediate distance in the universe”s timeline.
Prior measurements have been made regarding both the very early universe and its present state, but this research fills a vital gap in our understanding of cosmic evolution. The findings bolster confidence in the standard cosmological model, which outlines the expected behaviors and characteristics of the universe.
By confirming the predicted temperature from seven billion years ago, the researchers enhance our understanding of the universe”s history. This measurement acts similarly to observing puddles forming after a weather forecast predicts rain, as it reinforces the reliability of cosmological models.
Overall, this study not only contributes to our knowledge of the universe”s origin and evolution but also exemplifies the power of modern astronomical tools like ALMA in uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos.
