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James Webb telescope confirms there is something seriously wrong with our understanding of the universe (www.livescience.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Astronomers have used the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes to confirm one of the most troubling conundrums in all of physics — that the universe appears to be expanding at bafflingly different speeds depending on where we look.

This problem, known as the Hubble Tension, has the potential to alter or even upend cosmology altogether. In 2019, measurements by the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed the puzzle was real; in 2023, even more precise measurements from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) cemented the discrepancy.

Now, a triple-check by both telescopes working together appears to have put the possibility of any measurement error to bed for good. The study, published February 6 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that there may be something seriously wrong with our understanding of the universe.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 7 months ago (4 children)

Even though I won't be there for it, somehow heat death makes me very sad.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

I feel the same. Even if myself, my kids, earth, even the human race as we know it won't be there anymore, it's kind of sad. Slow inevitable doom. Carpe diem I guess.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Big bang happened once, why not twice?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Well, you can't unmix paint. Entropy unfortunately only goes in one direction.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Meh. Honestly I’m glad it will all end.

Everything is pointless and nothing matters. Eventually.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Everything is temporary, and meaning and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder. Your life isn’t “supposed” to be anything, so enjoy your brief opportunity to experience this crazy world that popped into existence before we did. And help others do the same, if you can.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 7 months ago

Related, The Last Question by Isaac Asimov is a fantastic, timeless science fiction short story.