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Dark Energy May Lurk In Hidden Dimensions

Posted by kdawson on from the offspring-of-sterile-neutrinos dept.

Magdalene writes in to let us know about a sketch of an idea, that might one day become a theory, to explain the dark energy that is making the universe flee faster and faster apart. It posits that dark energy may be the result of a new kind of neutrino wandering in tiny extra dimensions above our familiar three. She adds, "There is no word yet on whether Sphere or Square are available for comment." From the article: "The mysterious cosmic presence called dark energy, which is accelerating the expansion of the universe, might be lurking in hidden dimensions of space. This idea would explain how the dimensions of space remain stable — one of the biggest problems for the unified scheme of physics called 'string theory'... To get the same amount of acceleration seen by astronomers, Greene and Levin calculate that the extra dimensions should have a scale of about 0.01 millimeter."

11 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by kmac06 · · Score: 5, Funny

    According to the calculations, however, these vibrations should either possess a ridiculously high energy density - 122 orders of magnitude larger than are observed - or cancel out to exactly zero.

    What's 122 orders of magnitude between friends?

    1. Re:Well... by zCyl · · Score: 2, Funny

      What's 122 orders of magnitude between friends?

      That'd certainly get you to Kevin Bacon a few times.
  2. Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    OK, this story was "edited" by kdawson, but I don't see the standard anti-Microsoft crap, and it wasn't submitted by Roland. kdawson must be getting tired.

  3. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Centurix · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not dead, it's just in another dimension.

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    Task Mangler
  4. evil invader by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If Adelberger's pendulum does start to see gravity grow below 0.01 millimetre, it could be a sign that Greene and Levin are right, and the force that's tearing our universe apart really is an invader from another dimension.

    I've seen Bush called a lot of things, but this takes the cake

    1. Re:evil invader by normuser · · Score: 4, Funny

      If Adelberger's pendulum does start to see gravity grow below 0.01 millimetre, it could be a sign that Greene and Levin are right, and the force that's tearing our universe apart really is an invader from another dimension.

      I've seen Bush called a lot of things, but this takes the cake

      I'm sorry, you seem to have the wrong thread. Mindless flames are over here
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  5. Acid by normuser · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please join me in tagging this article "LSD".

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  6. Oh yea.. by doyoulikeworms · · Score: 2, Funny

    That was a good Star Trek episode.

  7. We all know where Dark Energy comes from... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...Midi-chlorians.

    Next article, please!

    (WIAK's Law: The longer a Star Wars discussion goes on, especially on Slashdot, the greater the likelyhood that someone mentions either Han shooting first or George Lucas raping their childhood.)

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    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  8. New dimensions... as usual by barwasp · · Score: 1, Funny

    Every time physicist are trapped in a corner, they escape by inventing a new dimension

  9. I tried topology once... by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

    I tried topology once, but I couldn't wrap my head around it.

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    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!