Scientists Discover Time Slowed Down Fivefold in Post-Big Bang Era

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Astronomy reveals that during the first billion years of our universe’s existence, time passed five times slower compared to its current pace.

This discovery confirms a significant prediction of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, demonstrating that when astronomers observe the distant universe, they are not merely witnessing its past but also perceiving it in slow motion.

The universe, believed to originate from the big bang 13.8 billion years ago, has been expanding ever since. However, this expansion rate has not remained constant. As the universe ages, time accelerates, according to the study’s findings.

Unveiling Cosmic Time Dilation

Scientists unveiled the concept of cosmic time dilation through an analysis of 190 quasars. These quasars, which are exceptionally bright supermassive black holes located at the center of galaxies in the ancient universe, served as reliable cosmic clocks.

By studying the quasars in different wavelengths of light and standardizing their “ticking,” researchers were able to measure the passage of time back to when the universe was only a tenth of its present age.

“Although one second would seem normal if you were present during the infancy of the universe, from our vantage point over 12 billion years later, that early time period appears to move at a sluggish pace,” explained Professor Geraint Lewis, the lead author of the study from the School of Physics and Sydney Institute for Astronomy at the University of Sydney.

The Expansion of the Universe

“Thanks to Einstein, we now understand that time and space are interconnected, and ever since the Big Bang, the universe has been expanding,” Professor Lewis continued. “This expansion of space causes our observations of the early universe to appear much slower in relation to present time.”

While previous research has utilized supernovae as time indicators, these cosmic events only provided evidence of time slowing down until half the age of the universe. This limitation is due to the difficulty of observing supernovae from the early years of the universe.

“Supernovae act as singular bursts of light, making them relatively easier to study. In contrast, quasars are more intricate, resembling an ongoing firework display,” Lewis elaborated. “Our study unveils the complexities of quasars, proving that they too can serve as reliable time markers for the early universe.”

Wishing you clear skies and great discoveries.

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