Another universe tugging on ours? Maybe not, researchers Say

Data from exploding stars contradicts earlier study pointing to the possible existence of a sibling universe University at Buffalo physicist Will Kinney and colleagues completed a study whose results challenge earlier research suggesting that something massive exists outside the bounds of our visible universe.

UB physicist Will Kinney and colleagues completed a study whose results challenge earlier research suggesting that something massive exists outside the bounds of our visible universe. (Photo credit: Patty Wallace)

In 2008, a research team led by a NASA scientist announced a startling discovery: Clusters of galaxies far apart from one another appeared to be traveling in the same direction.

The findings contradicted the standard model of the universe, which predicts that, as a whole, mass within our universe should flow randomly, in all directions, relative to the background radiation of the cosmos.

The one-way "dark flow" that the NASA-led group discovered created a mystery. What could account for the unexpected motion? Maybe another universe existed beyond the bounds of ours, dragging our stars ever closer through the pull of gravity.

Then again, maybe not.

A new study from the University at Buffalo contradicts the dark flow theory, showing that exploding stars in different parts of the universe do not appear to be moving in sync.