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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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'Big Wave' Theory Challenges 'Dark Energy'

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(Newser) – The 'Big Wave,' a new explanation for the universe's mysterious accelerating expansion, is sending ripples through the world of astronomy. According to the theory, the Big Bang set off a wave, or waves, that rippled outward through space-time, making distant galaxies appear to expand away from us. Mathematicians came up with the Big Wave as an alternative to the Dark Energy theory, Space.com reports. 

Dark Energy, which uses a hypothetical form of energy to explain the baffling late-'90s discovery of the universe's accelerating expansion, has never sat well with many scientists, who see it as a "fudge factor." One possible snag to the Big Wave alternative: it may require that our own Milky Way be located near the center of the universe.

According to the Big Wave theory, a Wave rippled outward from the universe's center
According to the Big Wave theory, a Wave rippled outward from the universe's center   (Shutter Stock)
The Big Wave offers a new explanation for the universe's accelerating expansion
The Big Wave offers a new explanation for the universe's accelerating expansion   (Shutter Stock)
The Big Wave theory challenges the concept of Dark Energy.
The Big Wave theory challenges the concept of Dark Energy.   (Shutter Stock)
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We're saying that maybe these expanding waves are actually causing the anomalous acceleration. We're saying dark energy is not really the correct explanation. - Blake Temple of the University of California, Davis

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6 comments
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Timinator2K
Aug 18, 09 7:56 AM CDT
I'm going with "The Big Spill" theory. God trips and spills his Kahlua & Coffee all over creation (His kitchen floor) and its still expanding as He's looking for the paper towels to clean it up. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
DavoMax
Aug 18, 09 8:13 AM CDT
Makes as much sense as all the new "theories" that scientists come up with every couple of years.
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
emptycalm
Aug 18, 09 10:23 AM CDT
How does that make as much sense? One is complex scientific theory and the other is made up on the spot. Unlike you guys, they didn't just pull that out of their ass. I'm sorry but I fail to see any similarities.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
IndependentThinker
Aug 18, 09 10:46 AM CDT
Except Tim's 'theory' it has an imaginary friend in it.
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0
dax
Aug 18, 09 11:53 AM CDT
Well, there goes the plans for a "warp" drive. Reply
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+2

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