Researchers pinpoint key early-universe measurement with record precision
Researchers have measured the abundance of helium created during the Big Bang with 0.5% precision using the Large Binocular Telescope. This milestone helps test the Standard Model of physics by providing a more accurate understanding of the universe's early conditions.
Why it matters
Refining fundamental cosmological measurements allows scientists to better understand the origins of the universe and potentially identify new physics beyond the Standard Model.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source The research team focused on 15 of the most "pristine" small, remote galaxies ever discovered for these papers. Credit: NASA An international team, including researchers from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, has reached a major milestone in "precision cosmology" by measuring the amount of helium created in the universe's first five minutes with unprecedented accuracy.
The series of five papers published in The Astrophysical Journal details how the team was able to leverage 130 hours of observation time on the Large Binocular Telescope to reduce the uncertainty of this fundamental cosmic value to just 0.5%—three times better than previous standards.
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