Scientists have reaffirmed the theory of relativity proposed by Albert Einstein over a century ago through a study involving over 1,500 supernovae in the universe. The research, published on a server, demonstrated the effect of time dilation at the cosmic level, with objects further away exhibiting a greater slowdown.
Einstein’s prediction that time slows down for objects moving at high speeds was once again validated in the study, particularly as objects approach the speed of light. This time dilation effect has been observed in everything from Earth satellites to distant galaxies, confirming the paradoxical nature of relativity.
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia, along with collaborators from other institutions, utilized data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) over a decade to study supernovae type 1A. These objects play a crucial role in studying the accelerated expansion of the Universe due to dark energy.
The study revealed a cosmological time dilation effect caused by the expanding universe, where objects farther away recede faster, resulting in a more pronounced slowdown. By observing 1,504 supernovae, scientists were able to accurately confirm time dilation up to a redshift of 1.2, corresponding to approximately five billion years after the Universe’s formation.
This precise confirmation of the theory of relativity lays to rest any doubts about its accuracy, providing direct evidence of the universe’s expansion. While not groundbreaking, the study reaffirms the validity of fundamental physical theories.
As astronomers continue to explore the phenomenon of time dilation in the distant universe, recent observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed supernovae at redshifts of 2.9, posing new challenges due to extended observation times.
Although the DES project has concluded, the results obtained by Rayan White and his team will serve as a benchmark for future studies. This latest validation of Einstein’s theory underscores the importance of continually verifying even the most fundamental scientific principles in our quest to understand the Universe.