WHY DOESN'T THE UNIVERSE MAKE SENSE? Astrophysicists reveal what could be causing the glitch

If alpha weren’t a constant, what would this mean for our understanding of the universe? It would be akin to observing that the advance in Mercury’s perihelion didn’t quite match Newton’s theory of gravity. In that case a completely new theory was required.

Professor Michael Murphy, Swinburne University

Where are we at now in terms of understanding if alpha is the same everywhere in the universe?

Astrophysical measurements by the John Webb group based on the quasar absorption spectra of ions indicate variation of alpha in space. This group made measurements based on over 300 absorption systems across the skies using original methods and made numerous tests of the results. Other groups used small samples of data and do not see the variation yet. All new data is based on the same ManyMultiplet method. There are no direct contradictions, but Webb group results are considered to be unconfirmed.

Professor Victor Flambaum, University of New South Wales

Why are the fundamental constants so important to physics?

A fundamental constant can be defined as being a parameter for which the value doesn’t arise from the theory. They are quantities that can only be measured. Testing their constancy is in itself a test of the theories we use. They allow us to test the domain of their validity, and if their constancy doesn’t hold true new physics should arise. If we detect a variation, either in time or by local environment conditions, then we would expect that they impact our current interpretation of the universe.

Ana Catarina Leite, PhD student at the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto

Do you think that alpha varies across the universe?

No. In 1998 a group studying quasar absorption system spectra claimed a detection of a variation in alpha. However, more recently the same researchers performed a recalculation of systematic errors using new techniques and showed that there’s no compelling evidence for any variation in alpha from quasar data. Furthermore, it follows from analyses with data from the cosmic microwave background and the abundances of light elements such as helium and deuterium that the value of alpha in the early universe is the same as its present value. Susana Landau, Universidad de Buenos Aires

“The variation inside the visible universe may be small and hard to detect”

Victor Flambaum