The "Axis of Evil" in the cosmic microwave background | Unsolved Mystery
Dr. Becky・13 minutes read
The universe's alignment along the "axis of Evil" challenges fundamental principles, with the cosmic microwave background data showing anomalies like the Milky Way's motion. Possible explanations for this alignment include data errors or missing components in our understanding, prompting ongoing research in astrophysics.
Insights
- The universe does not follow a simple hierarchical structure with Earth at the center, highlighting the complexity and vastness of our cosmic surroundings.
- The discovery of the "axis of Evil" within the cosmic microwave background data challenges established principles of isotropy and homogeneity, prompting further investigation into potential underlying causes such as data errors or unknown cosmic phenomena.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What is the cosmic microwave background?
The cosmic microwave background is the oldest light in the universe, emitted when the universe was about 3,000 Kelvin and 380,000 years old.
When was the cosmic microwave background first detected?
The cosmic microwave background was first detected in 1964.
What is the axis of Evil in astrophysics?
The axis of Evil is an alignment in the cosmic microwave background data discovered in 2003.
How do scientists describe the cosmic microwave background?
Scientists use multipoles to describe the cosmic microwave background.
What are possible explanations for the axis of Evil?
Possible explanations for the axis of Evil include data errors, statistical anomalies, or gaps in our understanding of the universe.
Related videos
Dr. Becky
The Horizon Problem | The Universe's biggest UNSOLVED mystery
PBS Space Time
Was the Milky Way a Quasar?
Space Matters
The REAL Movement of Earth Through the Galaxy
The 92nd Street Y, New York
A mind-expanding tour of the cosmos with Neil deGrasse Tyson and Robert Krulwich
BBC Earth Science
One Hour Of Mind-Blowing Space Mysteries | Full Series | BBC Earth Science
Summary
00:00
"Axis of Evil: Universe's Mysterious Alignment"
- The Earth is not at the center of the solar system, which is not at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and the Milky Way is not at the center of our local group of galaxies.
- The universe appears aligned along an axis known as the "axis of Evil," contradicting fundamental astrophysical principles.
- The cosmic microwave background is the oldest light in the universe, emitted when the universe was about 3,000 Kelvin and 380,000 years old.
- The cosmic microwave background was first predicted in 1948 and detected in 1964, leading to the launch of telescopes like NASA's Kobe, W map, and issa's plank to study it.
- An anomaly in the cosmic microwave background data, known as the axis of Evil, was discovered in 2003 by Bennett and collaborators.
- Multipoles are used to describe the cosmic microwave background, with the dipole feature indicating the motion of the Milky Way.
- The alignment of the quadripole and octopole axes, forming the axis of Evil, challenges the isotropic and homogeneous assumptions of the universe.
- Possible explanations for the axis of Evil include data errors, statistical anomalies, or missing components in our understanding of the universe.
- The axis of Evil's alignment with the solar system axis suggests a deeper mystery in astrophysics, with ongoing research to unravel its significance.
