The mysteries of the expansion of the cosmos have long challenged our understanding of the universe. The standard model, Lambda-CDM or ΛCDM (CDM stands for Cold Dark Matter), is based on the existence of dark matter and dark energy. Two theoretical concepts never directly observed.
What if the key to unraveling these enigmas was hidden in an even bolder idea? Naman Kumar, researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology, proposes a revolutionary model (I link it here). Our universe could be part of a couple. It would be connected with an anti-universe, a cosmic twin whose time flow runs in the opposite direction to ours.
The ΛCDM model and its shadows
Despite being our best hypothesis for explaining the expansion and acceleration of the universe, the ΛCDM model is full of unanswered questions. Its reliance on concepts such as matter and dark energy, which have never been directly observed, makes it vulnerable to criticism and doubt. These gaps in our understanding have pushed researchers to explore alternative explanations, theories that do not require the existence of “dark” entities to account for observed cosmic phenomena.
We follow many of the research and alternative theories to the standard one. From the hypothesis of“cannibal” universe to that of the "big bubble“, moving from the theory that the universe it would be a giant quantum computer, There is a lot to say on the table. Today even something more.
The anti-universe hypothesis
Kumar's hypothesis is truly fascinating. According to the researcher, our universe could be part of an entangled pair with an anti-universe, a cosmic twin whose time flow runs in the opposite direction to ours.
This idea, although bold, is not entirely new: yes in 2018, scientists at the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics had proposed a similar concept, suggesting that our universe was a mirror image of a universe that flows backwards in time. Has anything changed since then?
Anti universe, the theoretical foundations
In his work, Kumar draws on concepts borrowed from quantum theory (relative entropy) and general relativity (zero energy condition) to demonstrate how the universe would naturally accelerate in the presence of an anti-universe.
Relative entropy, which requires two states, in this case would correspond to the universe and its “twin” anti-universe. The acceleration of expansion would therefore seem inevitable in a universe created in pairs, respecting the zero energy condition.
What do you think? The idea of an anti-universe, while still requiring experimental and observational verification, offers an intriguing perspective and pushes us to reconsider our most deeply held beliefs about the nature of the universe. The real challenge, however, is keeping an open mind.
