Scientists have proposed a groundbreaking new model for the universe's origin, challenging the long-held Big Bang theory. This innovative concept, published in Physical Review D, suggests our universe emerged from a gravitational collapse and subsequent bounce within a black hole, residing in a larger 'parent' universe.
The conventional Big Bang theory posits that the universe began with a singularity, a point of infinite density, approximately 13.8 billion years ago. This new model, developed by researchers including Enrique Gaztanaga from the University of Portsmouth, offers a compelling alternative. It combines general relativity with quantum mechanics, specifically using the quantum exclusion principle to prevent the formation of a singularity.
This principle prevents identical particles from occupying the same quantum state, halting the collapse and causing the matter to rebound outward. The result is a universe expanding from a high-density state, remarkably similar to our own. The model proposes that this process occurs within a black hole, formed by a collapsing mass of matter.
A key prediction of this 'black hole bounce' model is that space has a slight positive curvature, differing from the flat universe assumed by the standard cosmological model. This curvature could be tested by upcoming missions like the European Space Agency's Euclid telescope. The model also elegantly accounts for the two phases of accelerated expansion, inflation and dark energy, without introducing speculative physics.
Furthermore, this model offers potential insights into the origins of supermassive black holes and the distribution of galaxies. Future missions, such as Arrakihs, may provide further evidence by studying potential relics from the collapsing phase. This new framework suggests our universe might be part of a larger cosmic cycle, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe's true origin.