Steady state theory: A sign of the universe
Is the universe infinite, or did time itself begin? Once thought unchanging, more and more evidence found in the late 20th century suggested a radically dynamical universe.
Is the universe infinite? Was there a beginning of time?
Einstein himself preferred to think of the universe as unchanging, having neither beginning nor end. Experiments showed the expansion of the universe, proving Einstein wrong.
Given this new evidence scientists had two choices: either the universe started in an incredibly dense state and expanded, diluting to the density we observe today (the big bang model) or even though it is expanding there is a mechanism keeping the density of the universe constant, so that the overall appearance of the universe stays the same (the steady state model).
More and more evidence favouring the big bang model was found, but some cosmologists clung tight to the idea of the steady state theory.
Credits
- Created and Produced by: Rita Neves (Research Associate at the University of Sheffield)
- Created and Produced by: Sofie Ried (PhD Student at the University of Sheffield)
- Intro/Outro Music: Andrew Glover
