Physicists Propose Cyclic Universe Model Challenging the Big Bang Theory

A team of physicists has developed a new cosmological model suggesting that the universe did not begin with the Big Bang followed by cosmic inflation.

Instead, they propose that the universe has undergone continuous cycles of compression and expansion, indicating an era preceding these well-known events.

This model, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, aims to resolve several cosmic mysteries, including the nature of dark matter and the longstanding problem of the universe’s flatness.

One of the perplexing issues in cosmology is why the universe appears flat. The geometry of the universe is determined by its matter density. If the density exceeds a critical value, space is closed and positively curved, resembling a sphere’s surface.

If it’s less, space is open and negatively curved, like a saddle. When the density equals the critical value, the universe is flat and infinite, akin to a sheet of paper. Observations indicate that the current matter density is very close to this critical density, implying a flat universe.

This flatness poses a challenge to the traditional Big Bang model. If the universe started from a hot, dense state above the critical density, it’s unclear why it would evolve into a flat geometry.

The new cyclic model addresses this by suggesting that the universe repeatedly transitions between phases of complete compression into a hot, super-dense singularity and subsequent expansion.

According to the physicists, this cyclical process not only explains the universe’s flatness but also aligns with measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation—the afterglow of the Big Bang.

They also hypothesize that during the brief periods between these cosmic phases, primordial black holes formed from extremely dense matter. These tiny black holes, with masses comparable to asteroids, could constitute dark matter, providing a solution to another cosmic enigma.

Furthermore, the model predicts that these minuscule black holes could generate gravitational waves—ripples in the fabric of space-time—that might be detectable with current or future technology.

While this cyclic universe model offers intriguing solutions to existing cosmological problems, it remains hypothetical. Additional evidence is required to validate its conclusions. For now, the Big Bang theory continues to be the predominant explanation in cosmology.