Astronomers propose that Earth resides in a massive, billion-light-year-wide void, which could explain the faster-than-expected expansion rate of the universe locally, potentially resolving the Hubble tension and supporting the universe's estimated age of 13.8 billion years. Evidence from sound waves of the early universe and galaxy distribution supports this theory, though it challenges standard cosmological models.
Scientists propose that Earth may be inside a large, low-density void, which could explain the discrepancy in measurements of the universe's expansion rate, known as the Hubble tension. Evidence from sound waves of the early universe supports this idea, suggesting our local universe expands faster due to this void, potentially resolving key cosmological questions about the universe's age and structure.
A mysterious cosmic ray, dubbed the Amaterasu particle, has been detected in Utah, originating from beyond our known galaxy. Unlike low-energy cosmic rays commonly found on Earth, this ultra-high-energy particle contains properties from deep space. Scientists at the Telescope Array observatory are studying the particle, which triggered nearly two dozen surface detectors and measured 244 exa-electron volts. The origins of these high-energy cosmic rays remain unknown, but researchers speculate they may be related to phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts, black holes, and galactic nuclei. The closest potential source is the Local Void, an empty region on the outskirts of the Milky Way. Scientists aim to establish patterns and understand the movement of these particles.
NASA shared an image of NGC 6503, a galaxy located in the 'Local Void', an empty patch of space. Situated 18 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Draco, NGC 6503 lies at the edge of the void, which stretches about 150 million light-years across and lacks stars and galaxies. The image was captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
