The standard model of cosmology has long been our go-to explanation for the universe’s origins. But there’s an intriguing twist: black hole cosmology. This bold idea suggests that the Big Bang, the moment we believe everything began, actually occurred inside a black hole in a larger universe.
So, what does this mean for us? It means we might be living inside one of these mysterious black holes, along with every star and galaxy around us.
Enrique Gaztanaga, a professor at the University of Portsmouth, recently led a study proposing this concept. He argues that instead of the Big Bang being the start, it could be the result of a gravitational collapse that formed a massive black hole, followed by a “bounce.” As Gaztanaga explained in The Conversation, "Our calculations suggest the Big Bang was the outcome of a gravitational crunch."
This perspective raises many questions about the current understanding of the universe. For instance, why is there more matter than anti-matter? Why did our universe expand rapidly during "cosmic inflation" and then slow down? The current explanations, including dark energy—which is believed to make up 68% of the universe yet can’t be observed—leave some scientists skeptical.
Gaztanaga challenges our grasp of a singularity, the point where density becomes infinite. He finds it unsatisfactory and suggests that gravitational collapse might not have to result in a singularity after all. Instead, he theorizes that there could be a “bounce,” creating a universe that resembles ours.
Despite its potential, this view contradicts some well-established scientific theories. The standard model, while not flawless, remains widely accepted because it has stood the test of time. Gaztanaga remains hopeful that future missions, such as the European Space Agency’s ARRAKIHS, could shed light on these mysteries.
While black hole cosmology is captivating, it’s still in the early stages of exploration. The idea pushes us to reconsider fundamental assumptions about our universe. This kind of innovative thinking is crucial for advancing our understanding of the cosmos.
For more insights on cosmology, check out relevant studies from trusted news sources and research publications.