The cosmological constant, denoted by the Greek letter Lambda (Λ), is a term introduced by Albert Einstein in his equations of general relativity to account for a static universe. It represents a form of energy density that fills space homogeneously and has a repulsive effect, counteracting the gravitational pull of matter. In modern cosmology, it is associated with dark energy, which is thought to drive the accelerated expansion of the universe. The value of the cosmological constant is crucial in understanding the universe's fate and its large-scale structure.
Hubble's discovery of the expanding universe in the 1920s provided evidence against the static universe model favored at the time, which relied on a cosmological constant to maintain stability. By observing that galaxies were moving away from each other and the universe was expanding, Hubble's findings contradicted the need for a cosmological constant to explain a static cosmos.
The fudge factor in Albert Einstein's equation in 1917 may be due to Neutrinos which has greater speed than that of light. The difference between the speed of light and the Neutrinos may be the measure of the expansion of the universe which may ultimately cool down into ice one day.
The big bang theory is a cosmological model. Is this really the question you are trying to ask?
As far as I understand, the Big Bang theory is not a challenge to the cosmological argument at all. The cosmological argument states that there must have been a beginning to the universe, which is confirmed by modern science. The cosmological argument further is often held to indicate that that beginning must have been an intelligent agent, which is neither confirmed nor denied by cosmology.
As far as I understand, the projected age of the universe is about 99.5% of the estimated "Hubble time". The age is projected by applying a correction factor to the inverse Hubble constant. The correction factor applied depends on the value of the cosmological constant. The constant is derived from WMAP observation data, and valued at 0.976. For a flat universe without cosmological constant, the value would have been 0.666, resulting in a projected age 66.6% of the Hubble time.
The current value of the cosmological constant in the universe is estimated to be around 10-29 g/cm3.
The "cosmological constant".
It will expand more rapidly.
A zero graph
Einstein used approximation methods in working out initial predictions of the theory. Einstein later declared the cosmological constant the biggest blunder of his life.
The gravitational constant was derived experimentally. Until recently, it was believed that it was a universal constant. However, developments in cosmological theories suggest the possibility that it is not a constant.
A huge structure of pulsars/quasars which defies the cosmological constant.
Hubble's discovery of the expanding universe in the 1920s provided evidence against the static universe model favored at the time, which relied on a cosmological constant to maintain stability. By observing that galaxies were moving away from each other and the universe was expanding, Hubble's findings contradicted the need for a cosmological constant to explain a static cosmos.
The brief layman's answer: Einstein was troubled because his own theories of relativity did not support the idea of a constant universe, the universe that he preferred to believe existed. His equations showed that a steady state universe would eventually give in to the forces of gravity. He developed the cosmological constant, basically a 'fudge factor', so that his theories could support a steady-state universe. Shortly after, Hubble's redshift observations provided evidence that the universe is expanding, and Einstein called the cosmological constant the worst blunder of his life. Ironically, interest in the cosmological constant is returning, as a possible way of explaining the acceleratingexpansion of the universe.
Einstein developed the cosmological constant to counteract the force of gravity and maintain a static universe in his theory of general relativity. His motivation was to explain why the universe appeared to be static and not collapsing under the influence of gravity.
Its not that he couldn't, he eventually did and declared his "cosmological constant" the biggest mistake in his life.The situation was when Einstein developed General Relativity the prevailing cosmological theory was the Steady State Theory, that the universe was static. However General Relativity predicted that the universe could NOT be static: it must be either expanding or contracting. To correct for this apparent "error" and conform to the prevailing theory, Einstein added an arbitrary fudge factor that he called the "cosmological constant" that could be tweaked as needed to keep the General Relativity predictions in accordance with the Steady State Theory.When it was clearly shown that Hubble's data was right and the universe was expanding, he willingly deleted the "cosmological constant" from Relativity.
There are hundreds of things named after Albert Einstein. Among them are Boseâ??Einstein statistics, Einstein's constant, Einstein's radius of the universe,Einstein coefficients, and Einstein cosmological constant to get the list started.