Islamset-Creation of Universe and some Astronomical Phenomena: Quranic Concepts and Scientific Theories-Scientific Theories

Origin of Universe: Scientific Theories

Scientific speculations with regard to the Origin of the Universe have resulted into the emergence of two principal theories viz., the Steady State Theory and Big Bang Model. The Theory of Steady State. conceptualised by Reimann Bondi, Thomas Gold and Fred Royle, assumes that "the universe is of infinite age and obeys a 'perfect cosmological postulate' such that it appears the same at all instants of time as well as at all locations in space," (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 18, p. 1007). It thus postulates that the Universe is not subject to evolutionary process. Its kinematic properties, like that of other cosmological models are "isotropic, homogeneous and expanding," (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 18, p. 1007). According to this theory the past cannot be distinguished from the present for they are the same hence the appearances of galaxies will not vary with distance. This, however, is contradicted by the radio astronomical observations which have conclusively established that "the occurrence of radio galaxies is evidently very different at different distances" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vor. 18, p. 1007).

In contrast to the Steady State Theory , the Big Bang Model also called "fireball theory" (Lemaitre) or the Evolutionary Model Theory, assumes the origin of the Universe in a finite time frame. In terms of Doppler effect "a backwards extrapolation of the presently observed expansion indicates that there has been a time in the past when all the matter in the Universe was highly compressed and extremely hot. This was the time of Big Bang which gave rise to expanding Universe" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 18, p. 1016). In its early phase from time to (10 seconds) to time t2 (1000 years) the energy in the form of radiation (photons) is large compared with that in the form of matter. This is followed by a thermal balance between radiation and matter energy during time t3 years (t3 = 10 5 years). After t3 the radiation and matter got "decoupled" leading to a steep fall in the temperature of the matter compared to radiation temperature. The temperature of matter in absolute terms had fallen to 1° K by time t4. This was followed-by galaxy formation and quasi stellar objects in the Big Bang time scale of t4 (10 8 years) and t5 years (5 x 10 9 years). According to Rubble's discovery (1929) "the distant galaxies are apparently receding at speeds increasing with distance." This recession of galaxies implies an isotropic expansion of the Universe (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 18, p. 1007). The validity of the Big Bang Model of the Origin of the Universe has been strongly reinforced by the discovery of "the 3° K microwave background radiation spread allover the universe proved to be the relic radiation of the Big Bang," (Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson). The Big Bang or the Evolutionary Model also implies that due to the process of contraction all of the material would eventually come back to a-central point in an implosion that would annihilate all forms of matter -stars, galaxies, and even individual atoms. The result would be another "cosmic bomb" which would explode and start the whole process over again. This annihilation of the cosmos bears striking similarity with the Qur'iinic description of the Day of Judgement. However some of the astrophysicists assert that evidence is against this self-annihilation of the Universe since "the mean density of matter in the luminous visible parts of galaxies falls short of critical value by a factor of about 30" (Encyclopaedia of Physics, 1981, p. 142). Hence based on "esoteric theories" and "uncertain data" they conclude that the Universe will continue to expand indefinitely, (Encyclopaedia of Physics, p. 142). This will, however, happen only "if the Universe is really completely self-contained having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end, it would simply be." Further the scientists have so far failed to offer a model that could describe the Universe in its totality. In case they attempt to do so such a model "would be much too complicated mathematically for us to calculate exact prediction," (Hawking, 1988, p. 144). Although the scientists feel fairly confident that they "have the right picture at least back to one second after big bang," (Hawking, p. 124), they are nonetheless concerned about this crucial time gap of less than one second in their knowledge. In order to bridge it they must look into the beginning which the astronomers/astrophysicists acknowledge is not possible. In their own words: "In an evolving Universe the astronomer looks into the past by looking into the distance.

But the further back he looks, the less precise the information he gets, and he certainly cannot see the actual beginning" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. 18, p. 1018). Thus astronomers can never explain the Origin of the Universe as an observed fact and verifiable reality, neither a satisfactory mathematical model can be worked out to explain the complex system of the Universe. However, the latest discovery of a quasar (quasi stellar object -a highly luminous phenomenon) "close to the edge of the Universe hence near the beginning of time" ( The Hindu, 27th December, 89) may throw new light on the cosmic evolution. The astronomers estimate that this quasar is "billions of light years away and that it existed when the Universe was only 7% of its present age," (Lemonick, p. 58). They are finding it problematic to explain its formation "that early, even under the influence of cold dark matter" (Lemonick, p. 58). This discovery and that of the cosmic bubble which suggests uneven microwave (Huchra-Geller) may upset the current theories dealing with the Origin of the Universe.