A mysterious phenomenon recently observed seems to be shaking our understanding of the Universe. The discovery is prompting scientists to wonder whether the fundamental laws of physics need to be revised.
The DESI telescope has delivered unexpected results on the structure of the Universe, challenging some theories.
Researchers from several universities, including SMU, have studied this new data using intensive computational capabilities. The study was published on the
arXiv server, revealing intriguing results on neutrinos, these ubiquitous yet largely mysterious particles. Indeed, according to observations, matter seems to be clustering more than expected, a surprising result for cosmologists.
Professor Joel Meyers from SMU explains that these results complement the data previously collected by the DESI instrument, which is building the most precise 3D map of the Universe. DESI makes it possible to measure the absolute mass of neutrinos by studying baryonic acoustic oscillations associated with the cosmic background radiation, a remnant of the Big Bang.
Cosmologists expected neutrinos to slow down the formation of large cosmic structures. Yet, the study suggests the opposite: matter is clustering more than anticipated, challenging the traditional idea that neutrinos inhibit this phenomenon.
Researchers are now questioning whether this anomaly is the result of a measurement error or a new physics not yet accounted for by the Standard Model. This model, which governs our understanding of the interactions of fundamental particles, may require adjustments to explain these observations.
The team's work explored several possible scenarios, including the addition of new physical concepts or a reassessment of current measurements. It will likely take years to draw definitive conclusions, but the study provides a roadmap for future research.