Resolving the Hubble Constant Discrepancy: Revisiting the Effect of Local Environments

Abstract

Studies have found two differing sets of figures for the Hubble constant without clear direction for resolution of that difference. This article offers a direction for reconciling the measurement discrepancy. Research is reviewed and theory is described that indicate the resolution may be found in revisiting how the degree of mass in local environments affects computations. The idea that the expansion rate of the universe is invariably uniform is discounted, to be replaced by a range of figures depending on the mass density of the local environment underlying the measurement.

Everything is Probabilistic Spacetime: An Integrative Theory

“…The PST therefore predicts different expansion rates (measures of the Hubble "constant") depending on the degree to which mass and high energy portions of the field are involved in the measurement of that rate. This is in fact what we observe [15]. Measurements involving large bodies of mass (galaxies and galaxy clusters) show slower expansion rates than measurements involving much smaller amounts of mass (e.g., a star or two).…”

“…For much of the past decade, empirical findings concerning the rate of expansion of the universe (called the Hubble constant, H o ) have not been supporting the cosmological principle. H o has repetitively been measured at one of two different values depending on where and how the measurement was made, not the single value supposedly mandated by the cosmological principle [15]. The idea that both values could be correct while maintaining the cosmological principle has not been incorporated into current cosmological theory.…”

“…As indicated, the PST specifically predicts that the expansion rate of the universe varies depending on the proximity of mass, radiation, and clumps of high energy probability field to where the rate is being measured. The rate is expected to be slower near large bodies of mass and will be measured as fastest in large voids [15].…”

“…As summarized elsewhere, the expansion rate determined using single stars and binary star systems (as standard candles for measurement purposes, a methodology which shows an expansion rate of about 73 km/s/Mpc) is approximately 10% greater than both the SPSS result (of about 67 km/s/Mpc) and the result stemming from the use of the cosmic microwave background [15]. The latter measurements involve huge amounts of mass compared to one or two stars.…”

“…The latter measurements involve huge amounts of mass compared to one or two stars. That a study such as the SPSS would find the slower rate was predictable based on a publication referencing the PST one month prior to the announced SPSS results [15]. The significant difference in empirical estimates of the Hubble constant, fully acknowledged and even given a moniker ("Hubble tension"), has not been explained by the researchers involved.…”