Everything was slower: according to scientists, time passed more slowly at the beginning of the Universe

Scientists in the field of astrophysics and statistics, Geraint Lewis and Brendon Brewer, observed, for the first time, time dilation in the early Universe during the so-called Cosmic Dawn, when studying quasar galaxies. Due to the accelerated expansion of the Universe, they found that fluctuations in these galaxies occur at a rate five times slower than nearby events.

Time dilation and quasars

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This discovery provides the most distant evidence of time dilation, confirming the consistency of quasars with the standard model of cosmology. By understanding time dilation, researchers can better study the behavior of quasars and consider its impact on observations.

According to Lewis, when looking back to a time when the Universe was just over a billion years old, time appears to flow five times slower.

Time dilation occurs due to the Doppler effect, in which light stretches as space expands. Just as a supernova appears to be in slow motion due to relative speed, quasars exhibit similar behavior due to the complexity of their fluctuations.

Previous studies, conducted with smaller samples and shorter time periods, did not detect the time dilation in the variability of quasars.

However, the researchers’ expanded study, which covered 190 quasars over two decades, revealed the slow-motion “flickering” phenomenon, corroborating Einstein’s theory of relativity. The results were published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

This discovery brings new perspectives to understanding the evolution of the Universe and the nature of time. Understanding time dilation at different stages of the Universe allows us to explore cosmic phenomena with greater precision and deepen our knowledge of the fundamental laws that govern the cosmos.

Lewis and Brewer’s study represents a significant milestone in this search for answers, highlighting the continued importance of scientific research in exploring the mysteries of the Universe.