Grand Cosmological Claim Crumbles?

The team behind the physics find of the year is taking a step back from its confident claims.

These gravitational swirls, called B-modes, are supposed confirmation of a theory known as inflation, which says that the universe expanded exponentially in the first trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang.

But in the intervening months, scientists have begun to cast doubt on the finding, calling into question the discovery team's analysis of its data. Chiefly, concerns have centered on swirls produced by galactic dust in the sky—contamination the team may not have properly accounted for.

Now, the BICEP2 collaboration has published a report of its discovery in Physical Review Letters. Although the collaboration has stood by its results for a few months, it's now dialing back on its original claim.

We "cannot empirically

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth
Titanic was found during secret Cold War Navy mission

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet