What is the Hubble tension?
Quick Answer
The Hubble tension is the disagreement between different measurements of the universe’s expansion rate. One set of methods gives a lower value, while another gives a higher one.
The Full Story
The Hubble tension refers to the mismatch between values of the Hubble constant obtained from the early universe and the nearby universe. Measurements from the cosmic microwave background, especially those associated with the Planck mission, tend to give lower values than measurements based on supernovae and Cepheid variables. The difference is not huge, but it is persistent and statistically important. Scientists are investigating whether the tension comes from measurement issues or new physics beyond the standard cosmological model. It is one of the hottest topics in modern astronomy.
Key Facts
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"Why do two ways of measuring the universe disagree?"
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