Reprinted with permission from the author. Source:
(1999), Science, 284, Issue 5419, p. 1503
For a PDF version of the article, click
here.
A YOUNGER AGE FOR THE UNIVERSE
Charles H. Lineweaver
School of
Physics, University
of New South Wales,
Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
E-mail: charley@bat.phys.unsw.edu.au
ABSTRACT. The age of the universe in the Big Bang model can be
calculated from three parameters:
Hubble's constant, (h); the mass density of the universe,
(
m); and the
cosmological constant, (
).
Recent observations of the cosmic microwave background and
six other cosmological measurements reduce the uncertainty in these
three parameters,
yielding an age for the universe of 13.4 ± 1.6 billion years,
which is a billion years younger than other recent age estimates.
A different standard Big Bang model, which includes cold dark matter
with a cosmological constant,
provides a consistent and absolutely time-calibrated evolutionary sequence
for the universe.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
- METHOD
- THE OLDEST OBJECTS IN OUR GALAXY
- COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS WORK
- REFERENCES
