Concentric circles in WMAP data may provide evidence of violent pre-Big-Bang activity (1011.3706v1)

Abstract: Conformal cyclic cosmology (CCC) posits the existence of an aeon preceding our Big Bang 'B', whose conformal infinity 'I' is identified, conformally, with 'B', now regarded as a spacelike 3-surface. Black-hole encounters, within bound galactic clusters in that previous aeon, would have the observable effect, in our CMB sky, of families of concentric circles over which the temperature variance is anomalously low, the centre of each such family representing the point of 'I' at which the cluster converges. These centres appear as fairly randomly distributed fixed points in our CMB sky. The analysis of Wilkinson Microwave Background Probe's (WMAP) cosmic microwave background 7-year maps does indeed reveal such concentric circles, of up to 6{\sigma} significance. This is confirmed when the same analysis is applied to BOOMERanG98 data, eliminating the possibility of an instrumental cause for the effects. These observational predictions of CCC would not be easily explained within standard inflationary cosmology.

• The paper demonstrates that multiple low-variance concentric circles in CMB data may indicate violent astrophysical events from a previous aeon.
• It employs a systematic variance analysis of concentric rings, achieving deviations up to 6σ to support the conformal cyclic cosmology framework.
• The findings challenge conventional inflationary models and pave the way for future high-resolution observations to validate a cyclical universe.

Overview of Conformal Cyclic Cosmology and Observational Implications in WMAP Data

This paper, authored by V. G. Gurzadyan and R. Penrose, investigates observational data in light of the conformal cyclic cosmology (CCC), introducing substantial evidence that may reframe our understanding of cosmic history. CCC proposes that the universe experiences successive cycles or aeons, where each aeon's conformal infinity is linked to the Big Bang of the subsequent one. Within this framework, the authors argue that certain configurations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) data can be interpreted as indicators of violent astrophysical events preceding our aeon.

Observational Evidence and Methodology

A critical component of this paper is the identification of families of concentric circles evident in CMB datasets obtained from the Wilkinson Microwave Background Probe (WMAP) and corroborated by BOOMERanG98 data. The circles are characterized by anomalously low temperature variance, presenting a deviation with high significance, up to 6σ, from Gaussian expectations—pointing towards astrophysical phenomena signaling significant energy discharges from the previous aeon.

In their analysis, the authors systematically reviewed a comprehensive selection of potential circle centers across the CMB sky and calculated the temperature variance for rings at increasing radii. This method revealed configurations of low-variance circles consistent across both WMAP and BOOMERanG data. Notably, the probability of these structures being mere statistical anomalies is markedly low, with the presence of multiple concentric circles for given points in the CMB sky further substantiating their argument.

Theoretical Considerations

The paper underscores that CCC does not accommodate an inflationary phase, diverging from contemporary cosmological models. Instead, the observational features typically attributed to inflation are explained via the exponential expansion occurring at the end of the previous aeon. Key theoretical constructs, such as the behavior of Weyl curvature under conformal rescaling and emergent dark matter fields, underpin these interpretations.

Gurzadyan and Penrose's analysis implies that the concentric circle anomalies on the CMB maps arise from supermassive black hole interactions within bound galactic clusters in the prior aeon. These events yield gravitational radiation bursts propagating outward, seen in our current aeon as low-variance concentric circles on the CMB.

Implications for Cosmology and Future Directions

If validated, these findings could challenge prevailing cosmological paradigms, particularly the inflationary model's explanation for primordial fluctuations. The recurrent nature and specific spatial distribution of the low-variance circles in the CMB, theoretically aligned with the CCC framework, presents a compelling observational cross-verification opportunity for CCC, distinct from the established inflationary constructs.

As data from progressively higher resolution sources, such as the Planck satellite, become available, they might offer further diagnostic insights into these phenomena. Understanding CCC's implications on large-scale cosmic structures could profoundly impact the theoretical underpinnings of cosmology and further refine the timeline and mechanisms of early universe evolution.

Conclusion

Gurzadyan and Penrose's paper contributes a critical assessment of WMAP CMB observations through the lens of CCC, positing a new interpretative angle that may verify elements of this cosmological theory. While this paper presents substantial initial evidence, ongoing research and observational validation will be essential in consolidating CCC's role in our understanding of cosmic history and structure.