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The Steady State Theory is a cosmological model that proposes the universe is eternal, unchanging, and always in a "steady state." According to this theory, the universe has no beginning or end, and it has always existed in roughly the same form. The key idea is that while the universe may be expanding (which was observed as galaxies moving away from each other), new matter is continuously created to maintain a constant average density as the universe expands.
Key Points of the Steady State Theory:
The Decline of the Steady State Theory:
The Steady State Theory lost favor mainly due to evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory. Here are a few reasons why:
In short, the Steady State Theory suggests a constantly created, eternal, and unchanging universe, but the discovery of key evidence such as the CMB and cosmic evolution led to its decline in favor of the Big Bang theory.
Key Points of the Steady State Theory:
- Continuous Creation of Matter: As galaxies move apart due to the expansion of the universe, new matter is created in the space between galaxies to fill the gaps. This maintains a constant density of matter throughout the universe, despite its expansion.
- No Beginning or End: The universe doesn't have a singular point of origin (like the Big Bang theory suggests). It’s always been here and will always exist in a similar state.
- Expansion of the Universe: Even though the universe is expanding, the overall appearance and structure of the universe remain the same because new matter is being created to fill the expanding gaps.
The Decline of the Steady State Theory:
The Steady State Theory lost favor mainly due to evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory. Here are a few reasons why:- Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB): In the 1960s, scientists discovered the CMB, which is considered strong evidence of a hot, dense beginning of the universe, something that the Steady State Theory could not explain. The CMB is considered a "remnant" of the early universe, a key feature that supports the Big Bang theory.
- Observations of Galactic Evolution: The discovery that galaxies look different at various distances (and hence at different times in the past) suggested that the universe was evolving, not static.
- Abundance of Elements: The Big Bang theory explains the distribution of light elements (like hydrogen and helium) in the universe in a way that the Steady State theory cannot.
In short, the Steady State Theory suggests a constantly created, eternal, and unchanging universe, but the discovery of key evidence such as the CMB and cosmic evolution led to its decline in favor of the Big Bang theory.