New study sheds light on 'secret life' of universe before 'The Big Bang'

NEW DELHI: A recent study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics proposed that the universe may have had a "secret life" prior to the Big Bang.

Researchers suggests that the universe underwent a period of contraction before the Big Bang, creating black holes that could potentially explain the enigmatic nature of dark matter.

The research says that the universe first contracted, reaching an extremely dense state before "bouncing" back and entering the expansion phase, challenging the traditional belief that the universe originated from a single event known as the Big Bang, followed by rapid expansion. According to the study, this rebound could have profound consequences for our understanding of black holes and dark matter.

Additionally, the researchers propose that during the universe's contraction phase, density fluctuations may have given rise to small black holes. These primordial black holes, having survived the rebound and persisting into the current expansion phase, could potentially make up the elusive dark matter that accounts for approximately 80% of the universe's matter.

"Small primordial black holes can be produced during the very early stages of the universe, and if they are not too small, their decay due to Hawking radiation will not be efficient enough to get rid of them, so they would still be around now. Weighing more or less the mass of an asteroid, they could contribute to dark matter, or even solve this issue altogether." explained Patrick Peter, director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

If proven true, this bouncing cosmology theory could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, particularly in relation to black holes and dark matter. The existence of these primordial black holes could provide a compelling explanation for the mysterious nature of dark matter, which has long eluded scientists due to its lack of interaction with light.

Meanwhile, researchers are hopeful that upcoming gravitational wave detectors, including "the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and the Einstein Telescope," will possess the capability to identify the gravitational waves emitted during the creation of these primordial black holes. If detected, these observations could provide vital evidence supporting the hypothesis that these black holes constitute dark matter.