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The local universe’s expansion rate is clearer than ever, but still doesn’t add up

An international collaboration of astronomers has achieved the most precise direct measurement to date of the expansion rate of the nearby Universe. The result shows a persistent mismatch between measurements based on the nearby Universe and predictions derived from the early Universe, known as the Hubble tension.

Technical Trials for Easing the (Cosmological) Tension

A new study has sorted through models attempting to solve the cosmological tension, a discrepancy between two ways of calculating the universe's expansion. Three models that were previously viable solutions were excluded by the new data, while others reduced the tension but not solved it.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2024

HETDEX reveals galaxy gold mine in first large survey

Astronomers have cataloged over 51,863 Lyman-alpha-emitting galaxies, 123,891 star-forming galaxies, and 4,976 active galactic nuclei using HETDEX's spectroscopic data. The survey is a non-targeted, moon-sized survey that collects spectra from 35,000 fiber optic cables, providing a unique dataset for future galaxy mapping.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

Hubble tension: Showing the cracks in Gaussian Processes

Researchers Eoin Ó Colgáin and Mohammad Mehdi Sheikh-Jabbari found that the approach may not be universally applicable across all models. Their study evaluates Gaussian Processes using the Hubble constant, highlighting a mismatch between smaller-scale and overall measurements.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateNov 15, 2021

Multi-messenger astronomy offers new estimates of neutron star size and universe expansion

A new study using multi-messenger astronomy has estimated the radius of a typical neutron star to be around 11.75 kilometers and provided a novel calculation of the Hubble constant, which indicates the rate of universe expansion. The researchers' analysis combined gravitational-wave signals and electromagnetic emissions from neutron st...

New measurement of Hubble constant adds to cosmic mystery

A new measurement of the Hubble constant has been made using light from extremely distant galaxies, estimating a value of 76.8 kilometers per second per megaparsec. The result is comparable to previous estimates but differs significantly from other methods, sparking debate about potential new physics beyond our current understanding.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 23, 2019

Gravitational lensing provides a new measurement of the expansion of the universe

Scientists have developed a new technique for measuring the expansion of the universe using gravitational lensing, which yields a somewhat higher Hubble Constant value compared to standard measurements. The method provides a valuable alternative approach to addressing the long-standing discrepancy in the Hubble Constant's value

Gravitational waves will settle cosmic conundrum

Measurements of gravitational waves from binary neutron stars will definitively resolve the debate on the universe's expansion rate. By observing 50 binary neutron stars over the next decade, scientists can calculate the Hubble constant accurately, resolving the conflict between conflicting measurements.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 14, 2019

How fast is the universe expanding? Quasars provide an answer

The H0LiCOW collaboration has made a new measurement of the Hubble constant using quasars and gravitational lensing. The result agrees with recent independent studies but disagrees significantly with cosmic microwave background measurements, potentially indicating new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 26, 2017

Cosmic lenses support finding on faster than expected expansion of the universe

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have made an independent measurement of the universe's expansion rate, consistent with earlier findings but in disagreement with measurements from the early Universe. The study uses galaxies as giant gravitational lenses to determine the Hubble constant to a high precision.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 26, 2017

Zeroing in on Hubble's constant

The Carnegie Hubble Program aims to decrease the uncertainty of the Hubble constant from 10% to 3% by refining distances to galaxies using Cepheid variable stars and Spitzer telescope observations. The team will observe 700 hours of nearby galaxies, correcting for lingering uncertainties and systematic errors.

Astronomers crunch numbers, universe gets bigger

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new method for calculating intergalactic distances, which implies that the Hubble constant may be significantly off the mark. The Triangulum Galaxy is estimated to be 15% farther away from our galaxy than previously measured, potentially making the universe 15% bigger and older.