Home
Zwicky's "Tired Light" theory
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Ideas & Questions
- Hits: 435
Read the wiki here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tired_light then head on over to Kansas University to read a refutation: https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2024-09/Shamir-study-supports-Tired-Light-theory-challenges-Big-Bang.html.
Astrophysics could get interesting again soon...
Via Chat GPT:
The redshifting of distant stars and galaxies is typically explained by the expansion of the universe, which is a cornerstone of the Big Bang theory. However, alternative explanations have been proposed over the years to account for redshift without invoking the Big Bang. Here are some of the leading alternative theories:
1. Tired Light Hypothesis
- Overview: Proposed by Fritz Zwicky in 1929, the tired light hypothesis suggests that photons lose energy as they travel through space, leading to a redshift. This idea was put forward as an alternative to the expansion of the universe. According to this theory, the interaction between light and intergalactic matter or particles causes a gradual energy loss, stretching the wavelength of light, which is observed as redshift.
- Challenges: Tired light models have struggled to explain certain key observations. For example, tired light doesn't account for the time dilation seen in the light curves of distant supernovae or the uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Moreover, it would lead to image blurring over long distances, which we don't observe.
2. Gravitational Redshift
- Overview: Gravitational redshift is an effect predicted by general relativity, where light loses energy (and thus redshifts) as it escapes the gravitational field of a massive object. While gravitational redshift is a well-established phenomenon, it is generally localized near massive objects (e.g., black holes or galaxies) and isn't sufficient to explain the cosmological redshift of distant galaxies on its own.
- Challenges: Gravitational redshift does occur, but it is not seen to operate on a large enough scale to explain the uniform redshift of distant galaxies in all directions. It also doesn't explain the observed expansion of the universe or the relationship between redshift and distance (Hubble’s Law).
3. Quasi-Steady State Cosmology (QSSC)
- Overview: Developed by Fred Hoyle, Geoffrey Burbidge, and Jayant Narlikar, the quasi-steady state cosmology posits that the universe is in a steady state but undergoes periodic mini-expansions and contractions over long time scales. In this model, redshift is still tied to the expansion of space, but without a singular origin point like the Big Bang. The universe has no beginning or end in this theory, and matter is continuously created to maintain a constant average density.
- Challenges: QSSC faces difficulties in explaining the cosmic microwave background radiation and the observed distribution of galaxies over time, which aligns more with a universe that evolves from a hotter, denser state.
4. Plasma Cosmology
- Overview: Plasma cosmology, advocated by Hannes Alfvén and others, suggests that electromagnetic forces, rather than gravity alone, play a dominant role in shaping large-scale cosmic structures. In this model, redshifts might be caused by interactions between photons and intergalactic plasma. Proponents argue that large-scale currents in cosmic plasma could create redshifts through scattering and energy dissipation.
- Challenges: Plasma cosmology has not been widely accepted due to its inability to explain a variety of cosmological observations, such as the cosmic microwave background (CMB), galaxy formation, and the distribution of elements like hydrogen and helium.
5. Variable Speed of Light (VSL) Theories
- Overview: Some theorists, such as João Magueijo, have proposed that the speed of light may have been different in the past. In this view, changes in the speed of light could account for cosmological redshift without the need for an expanding universe. This would modify how we perceive distances and the redshifting of light over vast cosmic distances.
- Challenges: VSL theories are speculative and lack strong observational support. There are also concerns about their consistency with other physical laws, and they have yet to provide a coherent alternative to standard cosmology that explains all current data, including the CMB and galaxy formation.
6. Cosmological Redshift as an Illusion
- Overview: Some alternative models, such as those based on relativistic effects or non-Euclidean geometries of space-time, suggest that the redshift could be due to effects of observation rather than real motion or expansion. In these models, the redshift could be the result of light traveling through curved or complex space-time geometries.
- Challenges: While intriguing, these models often face difficulties in matching the precision of the Hubble Law and other key cosmological observations. The simplest interpretation of the data still supports the idea of an expanding universe.
Summary of Challenges for Non-Big Bang Theories:
- Most alternative theories face significant difficulties in explaining the full range of cosmological evidence, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB), the distribution of elements like hydrogen and helium, and the large-scale structure of the universe.
- The Big Bang model, despite its own challenges (e.g., dark matter and dark energy), remains the most successful at explaining the observed expansion of the universe, the CMB, and other key phenomena in cosmology.
Nevertheless, scientific models continue to evolve, and alternative theories provide valuable insights that push cosmology forward by challenging and refining mainstream thinking.
A Helicopter
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Blog
- Hits: 132
And this, spotted on Facebook Marketplace:
A fucking helicopter, only $20, 000.
Now, I've known I need a helicopter for quite a while, and were it not for my abysmal finances I'd be pulling the trigger on this. I don't need another fucking piece-of-shit walk-down-the-mountain jeep, I need a helicopter. Owner with more knowledge? That's me. I'll figure it out or die trying. And doesn't every post-apocalyptic Mad Max movie feature a loon in a home-built chopper? I am that loon. This would also add some much-needed action to the movie version of my life. As for licensing, well, in Nelson the police don't have helicopters and I'm pretty sure I could arrange to have this parked on the roof of my building. In fact I'm going to go talk to the landlady now...
This would be so much better than "Prospector on a Jet-Ski", although I don't see why there couldn't be a crossover series...
(So far appeals to my children for financing have gone unanswered...go figure)
Tuning Forks
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Found
- Hits: 158
I'd actually been looking for these for a while, and today, well, today was the day:
All appropriately labelled with frequency and correlating Chakra...(Throat, Third Eye, Solar Plexus, etc.)
Not a "deal", but less than I'd pay on TEMU, and, irregardless, I'm building credit it the local community...soon to be a Shaman.
Actually, already a Shaman, just acquiring the props...
The Car Show, A shelf, The Variety Show, And a late concert blaring through a closed window all the way from rail town…
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Blog
- Hits: 118
Morning, the car show, I’m up-and-at-em by 8:00 AM, need cigarettes, groceries, walking down Baker, the street - from one end to the other, and a good many of the side streets, are filled with vintage trucks, roadsters, hot-rods, even a few new cars. I've seen it but never really stopped to take it in, work always interfered. This car show, it’s a community thing, all the vehicle owners have set up around their car, camping chairs, coolers, coffee's, the cars, gleaming with bright paint and wax, every owner eager to talk about their pride-and-joy, this is a boon for business, millions of dollars in a couple of days, collectors plates from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Ontario, further even, the shops, cafe’s, hotels all full, streets full of shoppers.
I get my groceries, cigarettes, head home again, eat breakfast, finish cleaning the bathroom, then make lunch.
Then to the thrift shop where I find an appalling shelf, all function, no style, white veneered particle board, but I need one, my art supplies spread out over the living room floor in a 10 foot radius from my chair have grown to be a bit much, the place, once again, is a mess. After lunch I clean it up. And breathe a sigh of relief. The shelf's ugliness is largely concealed by the abundance of supplies I’ve heaped it with, watercolours, gouache, oil pastels, pen, ink, mixed media - paper, maps, passports, foreign currency, envelopes, acrylic, oils, mediums, stamps: duty-paid, postage, lottery tickets, etc, etc.
This done it's time now to read my book - Hiroshima by John Hersey. An assignment by my daughter who’s English course relies on an intelligent interpretation of and essay on said material. This reading merely so we can have an intelligent conversation upon the subject.
After which it's time for a shower, shave, and the Variety Show at the Capital…
Not the show I'd hoped for, but what I'd expected. You recognize everyone from the community, the banker, the MC, another person of finance, an actress, too many others to list. these are the people in your neighbourhood, and most of them in one way or another are in the theatre…
The lobby filled with snacks, everyone saying ‘If I knew I wouldn’t have eaten dinner”, there are salad rolls, chips & salsa, bean dip, guacamole, peanut sauce, a charcuterie of sorts, sausage, smoked meat, cheese, lots of food. I didn’t eat dinner and so make free on the buffet.
Milling and hob-nobbing, meet the authors, B.B is there, needs a drink, is short on cash having just published her second volume of poetry. And R&A are there, 85+ years old, neighbours from the old Beggs Road Vacation house, and R has a new book out, reminisces of the old life in the valley, these are the pioneers, the people that made this place great, in the 70’s with all their free-love, draft-dodging stick-it-to-the man communes & pot-growing, the old timers, and T.W. as well has a new book of poetry out…
Just keeping up with reading the local authors is a chore…
The variety show, a good natured promotion for the upcoming next season, the Xmas Panto, coming musical, theatrical, comedy, the summer youth camps that see every local youth indoctrinated into the world of Drama, as small towns go this is the town.
Then home, there's a concert in rail town, old-style rock&roll, “BC-DC”, 500 people according to a neighbour who went, loud, in tune with the largely out-of-town car show audience, through closed windows I can still here it blaring, and when it wraps up at 11:00 it's time for bed.
Page 61 of 881