James Webb Telescope: galaxy discoveries are set to shake up the standard model
Since its launch, the James Webb Space Telescope has been finding unusually bright galaxies in the early cosmos. Now there is supposed to be an explanation.
Particularly early galaxies
(Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, Steve Finkelstein (UT Austin))
The shape of the galaxies discovered by the James Webb space telescope in the early universe contradicts the predictions of the standard model of cosmology and instead points to a controversial alternative theory. At least that is what four researchers from the USA and Italy claim in a recently published article. As Stacy McGaugh from Case Western Reserve University in the US state of Ohio explains, the galaxies discovered by the ultra-modern space telescope are simply far too bright and far too massive far too early. This suggests that the formation of large structures in the early cosmos could be better explained by so-called Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND).
No dark matter necessary
As the group explains, according to the current standard model, the first galaxies should have formed continuously, with smaller structures slowly becoming larger and eventually galaxies. However, this is not what has been observed with the ever-improving instruments, most recently with the particularly sensitive James Webb space telescope. The much brighter and more massive galaxies that have been discovered are more in line with the predictions of MOND, according to which galaxies have formed very quickly. The theory works without the mysterious dark matter.
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McCaugh is certain that his group will be proven right with their theory. His university quotes him as saying, "I told you so". Although he was taught that such words were impolite, that is what the scientific method is all about: making predictions and then checking which ones are correct. However, it remains to be seen whether the research work now published in The Astrophysical Journal is actually convincing. Alleged findings or data that contradict central theories of physics have been presented time and again recently, but so far little has come of it. This is not the first attempt based on MOND either.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been looking into space for more than two years at the Lagrange point L2, facing away from the sun, earth and moon so that their thermal radiation does not interfere with the infrared telescope. Almost immediately after its commissioning, it began to discover more and more candidates for unexpectedly advanced galaxies that existed much earlier after the Big Bang than was thought possible. It has therefore been pointed out for some time that the previous theoretical foundations do not appear to be sufficient. If McGaugh and his team's attempt at an explanation is confirmed, this could have far-reaching consequences for physics.
(mho)
