'Multiverse' theory suggested by microwave background

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‘Multiverse’ theory suggested by microwave background

Don't burst my universe bubble

By Randall Gross

Science • August 2011 • Views: 1,693

bbc.co.uk

The idea that other universes - as well as our own - lie within “bubbles” of space and time has received a boost.
Studies of the low-temperature glow left from the Big Bang suggest that several of these “bubble universes” may have left marks on our own.
This “multiverse” idea is popular in modern physics, but experimental tests have been hard to come by.
The preliminary work, to be published in Physical Review D, will be firmed up using data from the Planck telescope.

For now, the team has worked with seven years’ worth of data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, which measures in minute detail the cosmic microwave background (CMB) - the faint glow left from our Universe’s formation.

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4 comments

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Aug 3, 2011 7:18:06am

Thanks, Randall, this is very interesting.

aagcobb Wed, Aug 3, 2011 9:56:17am

This damages another "God of the Gaps" theory: that because science can't explain why this universe seems to be so finely tuned to make life possible, God did it. It can be explained without divine intervention if there are an infinite number of universes which each have different physical constants, but since the multiverse hypothesis couldn't be directly tested, theists could argue that it was as much a faith-based belief as any religion. Now it appears we may be able to develop evidence that other universes do exist, which eliminates the need for God to fine-tune this universe to make life possible.

Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Wed, Aug 3, 2011 10:00:51am

re: #2 aagcobb

It's not necessary for it to be tested to be an alternative. It's only necessary for it to be possible. Once it is agreed that it is possible, the "goddidit" argument is incorrect even if we agreed that it is proper in the first place (it's not; it's an argumentum ad ignorantiam). It's not a matter of faith, but rather of theistic arguments being unproven.

If it can be tested, then of course it becomes even stronger.

aagcobb Wed, Aug 3, 2011 11:17:01am

re: #3 Sergey Romanov

Agreed, but there is a strong theistic bias in our culture, so until the multiverse theory can be tested, its at a disadvantage.

"Dr Peiris said that data from the Planck telescope - a next-generation space telescope designed to study the CMB with far greater sensitivity - would put the idea on a firmer footing, or refute it. However, the data from Planck cannot be discussed publicly before January 2013."

That's something to look forward to!

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