As of: February 20, 2024, 5:30 a.m
By: Tanja Banner
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The German X-ray telescope eROSITA has delivered spectacular images of our Milky Way.
© dpa/MPE/IKI |
MPE/IKI
The distribution of matter in the universe is a controversial topic.
The eROSITA space telescope is now providing data that will help research.
Garching – The infinity and complexity of the universe continually poses challenges for scientists.
An example of this is the question of the expansion of the universe.
There are two different measurement methods that lead to different results – the “Hubble voltage”.
A similar dilemma arises when studying the distribution and compression of matter in the cosmos.
The so-called S8 parameter can either be measured or predicted by the Standard Model of cosmology.
This model is adjusted to match the cosmic microwave background (CMB), radiation left over from the Big Bang.
But this is where the difficulties begin: the value varies depending on the measurement method.
If this “S8 voltage” cannot be resolved, this could indicate a new physics.
eROSITA provides researchers with new data about the universe
More detailed information about the universe could help here.
Two weeks ago, the first data from the German space telescope eROSITA was published.
It completely surveyed the sky for the first time, collecting a wealth of data for research.
eROSITA observes X-rays emitted by hot gas in galaxy clusters and can thus precisely measure the total amount of matter in the universe and its clumping.
And indeed: The new data eliminates the discrepancies, as stated in a statement from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE).
Vittorio Ghirardini, who is responsible for the cosmological study, explains: “eROSITA tells us that the universe has behaved as expected throughout cosmic history.”
He adds: “There are no tensions with the CMB – maybe cosmologists can relax a little now.” In a conversation with
Science,
the researcher is even clearer: “This will make many theorists very sad.
They want to find something new, but the theory works well.” The study was published on the preprint server ArXiv and submitted for publication in a specialist journal.
Research analyzes large amount of data from eROSITA
Esra Bulbul, who leads the eROSITA galaxy clusters and cosmology team, emphasizes: “The cosmic parameters we measure from galaxy clusters agree with the most modern CMB data and show that the same cosmological model has existed from shortly after the Big Bang to the present day applies."
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The extensive data collected by eROSITA continues to be analyzed by researchers.
Emmanuel Artis, a researcher at MPE, comments on his line of research: “We could be on the verge of a new discovery.”
He adds: “If this can be confirmed, eROSITA will pave the way for new exciting theories beyond general relativity.”
The researchers are “excited about the exciting further discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the origins and evolution of our universe,” says Bulbul.
She adds: “Once the full data is evaluated, eROSITA will subject our cosmological models to the most rigorous test ever conducted on a galaxy cluster survey.” (
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