LONDON: Stories of parallel universes have been gaining popularity in recent years, growing in popularity with other subgenres of science fiction. But could stories about a universe similar to our own really be true?
Perhaps not to the extent of favorites like ‘Once Upon a Time’ or ‘Doctor Who,’ but scientists are well on their way to proving that a parallel universe does exist.
According to UPI, cosmologist Ranga-Ram Chary of the California Institute of Technology has published evidence of what he believes is a parallel universe. His findings are explained in detail in the latest issue of the Astrophysical Journal. Chary points out that an unexplainable color on a map depicting the cosmic microwave background could be the result of two universes colliding, or cosmic bruising.
However, Chary isn’t ready to call his “tentative decision” fact yet, and is still searching for further proof in order to turn speculation into “a definitive conclusion.”
“Unusual claims like evidence for alternate universes require a very high burden of proof,” wrote Chary in a follow-up study.
And it will take a very convincing argument to prove something as wild as a parallel universe. Many scientists consider the notion a waste of time, saying that different factors make it impossible to prove a parallel universe exists.
Some scientists though, such as David Spergel from Princeton University, think the possibility of a parallel universe isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. He explains that foreground dust from the cosmic microwave background could hold the key to the mysterious color Chary found on the map.
“I suspect that it would be worth looking into alternative possibilities,” said Spergel. “The dust properties are more complicated than we have been assuming, and I think that this is a more plausible explanation.”
