Clash of Galaxies Casts Doubt on Standard Cosmology Theory
The clash of two massive clusters of galaxies in the early Universe is challenging the validity of the standard theory of cosmology. A new study conducted by an international group of astronomers, including a specialist from the University of St. Andrews, provides evidence that questions the prevailing Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (λcdm) cosmology model.
According to the λcdm model, galaxies form first and then merge to form large clusters. However, the findings from a recent study published in The Astrophysical Journal suggest that two large galaxy clusters collided at a tremendous speed when the universe was only half of its current age.
This collision involves an accumulation of galaxies known as El Gordo, which derives its name from the Spanish word for “fatty” due to its enormous mass—2,000 trillion times that of the Sun. The study provides a more precise estimation of El Gordo’s mass, thereby reducing uncertainties related to previous research on this puzzling object in the context of λcdm.
The researchers determined El Gordo’s mass by analyzing the distortion of light from background galaxies caused by its gravitational attraction. This analysis was conducted using the Hubble telescope, and the results were corroborated by data obtained from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Elena Asensio from the University of Bonn conducted a study utilizing simulations to evaluate the rate of galaxy collisions. The simulations revealed a significant contradiction between the expected collision speed of El Gordo and the λcdm model.
Commenting on the findings, Elena Asensio said, “Dozens of detailed simulations show that El Gordo cannot have such a slow collision speed as would be probable within the framework of λcdm.”
It is worth noting that El Gordo is not the only example of a galaxy collision that challenges the λcdm model. Dr. Indranil Banik from the University of St. Andrews also identified other similar cases.
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