A mysterious phenomenon observed recently seems to shake up our understanding of the Universe. The discovery has scientists wondering whether the fundamental laws of physics need to be revised.
The DESI telescope has delivered unexpected results on the structure of the Universe, calling into question certain theories.
Researchers from several universities, including SMU, studied this new data using supercomputing capabilities. The study was published on the server arXivrevealing intriguing results on neutrinos, these omnipresent but still largely mysterious particles. Indeed, according to the observationsthe matter appears to cluster together more than expected, a surprising result for cosmologists.
Professor Joel Meyers of SMU explains that these results complement data previously collected by the DESI instrument, which is developing the most precise 3D map of the Universe. DESI makes it possible to measure the absolute mass of neutrinos through the study of baryonic acoustic oscillations, associated with radiation cosmological background, vestige of Big Bang.
Cosmologists expected neutrinos to slow the formation of large cosmic structures. However, the study suggests the opposite: matter clusters together more than expected, calling into question the traditional idea that neutrinos slow down this phenomenon.
Researchers wonder whether this anomaly results from a measurement error or from new physics not yet taken into account by the Standard Model. This model, which governs our knowledge of fundamental particle interactions, may require adjustments to explain these observations.
The team’s work explored several possible scenarios, including the addition of new physical concepts or a reevaluation of current measurements. It will likely be years before definitive conclusions can be drawn, but the study provides a road map for future research.
