'No Evidence' Universe Expanding at Accelerating Rate - Oxford Scientists

Studies concerning the expansion of the universe and how it is accelerating have dated back to the early 1990s. Astrophysicists Saul Perlmutter and Brian P. Schmidt, who made the initial discovery, were even awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Their research shocked the world of astrophysics to its foundations.

The Nobel Prize winning scientists looked at a type Ia supernova, which occurs in binary systems where two stars orbit each other and in which one of them is a white dwarf. One single supernova can emit as much light as a whole galaxy, and the researchers found over 50 distant supernova, whose light was weaker than expected. This was a sign that the expansion of the universe was indeed accelerating. 

However, this research has now been questioned by physicists who believe that it is not as conclusive as one would first think. 

A team of scientists, led by Professor Subir Sarkar from the University of Oxford Department of Physics, have cast doubt over the idea.

The study was published in journal Nature, Scientific Reports. Professor Sarkar said that the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe — which as well as winning the Nobel Prize in Physics, won the Gruber Cosmology Prize and Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics — led to the idea that the universe is dominated by "dark energy," and this is now the standard model that is used when discussing its expansion.

Analysis of larger set of SN data leads to interesting conclusion. https://t.co/43ApslHJLr

— Sean Dougherty (@Skaha_SMD) 25 October 2016​

"We took a closer look at the claim of accelerated expansion that was made in the 1990s and what we found is that there is no strong evidence," Professor Sarkar told Sputnik.

"When it comes to fundamental physics we need a high degree of certainty and the stakes are much higher than in everyday life, as this is about really understanding how the universe works.

"Our gold standard is five sigma. The current data does not meet this standard," Professor Sarkar added.

The #Universe expansion isn't accelerating now? Dark Energy doesn't exist? #Space #astronomy #physics https://t.co/E4fUHroqft pic.twitter.com/UMtdL5GEsM

— Alex Senson (@AlexSenson) 25 October 2016

Professor Sarkar said that analyses that were presented earlier were with a small data set versus the analysis that he and his team have completed using a larger data set and a more rigorous method. However, Professor Sarkar said that his team's work shows the significance of the earlier 1998 theory is getting weaker, not stronger.

If the expansion of the universe is not accelerating as the Oxford scientists claim, what does that mean for physics as we know it and what impact would such a change — if true — would have on our daily lives?

"It doesn't change anything directly for you, but please keep in mind that life essentials — mobile phones, computers, GPS etc. — came out of fundamental physics research. For example, you will put your story on the web and this was invented by the Oxford physics graduate Tim Berners-Lee, to enable physicists from around the world to work together at the international CERN laboratory in Geneva," Professor Sarkar said.

The Oxford team continues to research and analyze the 1990s theory.