New Delhi: Recent research has led to the discovery of a new model that could explain the ‘cosmic glitch’ encountered at the edge of the expanding universe, where gravity appears to weaken by about one percent. This new model is an extension of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which has been extensively verified through experiments and observations.

The current understanding of gravity is based on Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which has been instrumental in various achievements in astrophysics, from understanding the Big Bang to capturing images of black holes. However, when scientists attempt to apply general relativity to phenomena on a cosmic scale, they encounter inconsistencies in its predictions.

Niayesh Afshordi, an astrophysics professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, notes that as galaxies move farther away, they appear to accelerate, violating the predictions of general relativity. The researchers introduced the concept of a ‘cosmic glitch,’ where gravity behaves unexpectedly on cosmological scales, exhibiting a one percent decrease in strength over billions of light years.

For over two decades, physicists and astronomers have sought to develop a mathematical framework that can address these inconsistencies within general relativity. Robin Wen, a graduate student in mathematical physics at the University of Waterloo in Canada, describes their new model as an extension of Einstein’s theory that offers a potential resolution to the discrepancies observed at cosmic distances without negating the validity of general relativity.

Wen emphasizes that this model represents a modification to Einstein’s formulae that becomes relevant only on large cosmic scales. Afshordi suggests that this model might provide the first step in unraveling a cosmic puzzle that spans space and time, shedding light on the fundamental nature of gravity in the universe.

This research provides hope for future investigations into gravitational phenomena on cosmological scales and could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of gravity and its role in shaping the universe.