{"id":15640,"date":"2022-05-31T09:54:54","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T13:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=15640"},"modified":"2022-05-31T09:54:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T13:54:54","slug":"nasa-something-odd-is-happening-in-the-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2022\/05\/nasa-something-odd-is-happening-in-the-universe","title":{"rendered":"NASA: “Something Odd” is Happening in the Universe"},"content":{"rendered":"

During a recent study on the universe\u2019s expansion rate, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, found that \u201csomething weird\u201d is happening in outer space.<\/p>\n

In a statement,<\/a> NASA said, \u201cThe cause of this discrepancy remains a mystery. But Hubble data, encompassing a variety of cosmic objects that serve as distance markers, support the idea that something weird is going on, possibly involving brand new physics.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what is going on?\u00a0According to the data, the universe is expanding faster than anticipated, based on observations made earlier on in time. It is worth noting these observations are rooted in the so-called \u201cBig Bang Theory,\u201d which is, to many, at odds with the story of creation as detailed in the Old Testament book of Genesis.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0GotQuestions<\/a> explains, while the Big Bang Theory acknowledges the universe came into existence out of nothing, it fails to credit an almighty creator, God, as the catalyst of the universe\u2019s construction. Furthermore, the theory contradicts the literal interpretation of Scripture, known as\u00a0Young Earth Creationism, which suggests that creation occurred in six 24-hour days between 6,000 and 12,000 years ago.<\/p>\n

According to Space.com<\/a>, The Big Bang Theory is the leading explanation for the universe\u2019s beginning. Simply put, it says the universe as we know it started with an infinitely hot and dense single point that inflated and stretched. First at unimaginable speeds, and then at a more measurable rate, over the next 13.8 billion years to the still-expanding cosmos that we know today.<\/p>\n

Existing technology doesn\u2019t yet allow astronomers to peer back at the universe\u2019s birth literally; much of what we understand about the Big Bang comes from mathematical formulas and models. Astronomers can, however, see the \u201cecho\u201d of the expansion through a phenomenon known as the\u00a0cosmic microwave background.<\/p>\n

\"galaxy\"<\/a>
Aldebaran S\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Newly discovered data has led NASA scientists to predict the universe is expanding at 73 kilometers per second per megaparsec. This expansion rate is a significant jump from the initially expected speed of 67.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec. Given the updated numbers, astronomers are forecasting the universe will double in size over the next 10 billion years.<\/p>\n

A \u201cmegaparsec,\u201d as defined\u00a0by Universe Today, is \u201ca million parsecs (mega- is a prefix meaning million.) There are about 3.3 light-years to a parsec. A megaparsec is rather a long way.\u201d And the expansion rate is known as the \u201cHubble constant.\u201d In the past, scientists believed gravity would cause the universe\u2019s expansion to slow down over time.<\/p>\n

In its\u00a0recent statement\u00a0on the new expansion rate, NASA explained that, when the federal agency advocated for the large space telescope in the 1970s, \u201cone of the primary justifications for the expense and extraordinary technical effort was to be able to resolve Cepheids. Cepheids are stars that brighten and dim periodically, seen inside our Milky Way and external galaxies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scientists have since been able to use Cepheids, discovered in 1912 by astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, to measure distances within the universe. Researchers can then use Type Ia supernovae, or exploding stars, to measure even greater distances. Astronomers use those statistics to determine the Hubble constant then. As Christians, we should see God\u2019s creation as signs of His glory from outer space to our day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During a recent study on the universe\u2019s expansion rate, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, found that \u201csomething weird\u201d is happening in outer space. In a statement, NASA said, \u201cThe cause of this discrepancy remains a mystery. But Hubble data, encompassing a variety of cosmic objects that serve as distance markers, support the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":657,"featured_media":15661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nNASA: "Something Odd" is Happening in the Universe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"During a recent study on the universe\u2019s expansion rate, NASA found that \u201csomething weird\u201d is happening in outer space.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NASA: "Something Odd" is Happening in the Universe\" \/>\n<meta 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