- Scientists at Harvard University had announced what was considered the biggest discovery of the year, their discovery of gravitational waves which they believe serves as an evidence for the theory of cosmic inflation.
- Cosmic inflation refers to the concept that the cosmos ballooned in size during the first few instants after the big bang.
- The group reported an observation of a twist in the polarization of ancient light dating back to the time of big bang and was hence seen as an example for gravitational waves.
- Gravitational waves, which were predicted by Einstein, are ripples in the fabric of space-time generated in the early universe, close to the big bang.
- However, studies conducted by scientists at California and Princeton University have raised questions over the validity of the discovery.
- They believe that this effect of polarization of light could be produced by dust present both in the Milky Way and outside it. They therefore argue that the effect can be produced by dust alone and hence are not a definitive measurement of gravitational waves.
- Studies have also indicated that the process of gravitational lensing, in which light curves around massive objects in space, can have the same effect of twisting the polarization of light.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/gravitational-waves-a-big-bungle/article6106074.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Gravitational waves
- Cosmic Inflation
- Big BAng Theory
- Milky Way Galaxy