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Quantum Equation Suggests Universe Had No Beginning

cyberspittle writes: The universe may have existed forever, according to a new model that applies quantum correction terms to complement Einstein's theory of general relativity. The model may also account for dark matter and dark energy, resolving multiple problems at once. "In addition to not predicting a Big Bang singularity, the new model does not predict a "big crunch" singularity, either. In general relativity, one possible fate of the universe is that it starts to shrink until it collapses in on itself in a big crunch and becomes an infinitely dense point once again. ... In cosmological terms, the scientists explain that the quantum corrections can be thought of as a cosmological constant term (without the need for dark energy) and a radiation term. These terms keep the universe at a finite size, and therefore give it an infinite age. The terms also make predictions that agree closely with current observations of the cosmological constant and density of the universe."

3 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The whole idea is crazy by vbraga · · Score: 4, Informative

    The question is meaningless. In fact, it's meaningless from a physics point of view and also meaningless from a theological point of view. It was asked often and a good answer by Saint Augustine ("What God did before the creating of the Universe?") was (roughly) "The question is meaningless since time is a attribute of the universe and God exists outside of it." The equivalent answer applies to the Big Bang.

    --
    English is not my first language. Corrections and suggestions are welcome.
  2. Re:The whole idea is crazy by Dcnjoe60 · · Score: 4, Informative

    You know, what I've often asked myself is, "What was there before the Big Bang?"

    Nothing. As accepted, currently, time began with the Big Bang, so there was no before the Big Bang.

  3. Re:The whole idea is crazy by neoritter · · Score: 3, Informative

    You know a "religionist" came up with the Big Bang Theory right?