A research team led by the University of Minnesota has developed a groundbreaking technique to measure the Universe’s expansion rate, which could help refine estimates of its age. Utilizing data from the supernova Refsdal, the first detected multiply-imaged supernova, the researchers employed a method involving gravitational lensing—where a massive galaxy cluster bends light to create multiple images of the same cosmic event. Their findings indicate a new measurement of the Hubble constant, potentially reconciling discrepancies observed between local supernova measurements and cosmic microwave background calculations, which differ by about 10 percent. If future observations of similarly lensed supernovae yield consistent results, it may indicate gaps in current cosmic theories or models of dark matter. Published in prestigious journals Science and The Astrophysical Journal, the team’s work brings physicists closer to a clearer understanding of the Universe and its constituents. The research involved collaboration from numerous institutions worldwide and was primarily funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation. This advancement could provide essential insights into longstanding debates regarding the Universe’s makeup and expansion history.
