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The large-scale smoothness of the Universe

Author

Listed:
  • Kelvin K. S. Wu

    (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
    Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University
    Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge)

  • Ofer Lahav

    (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
    Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University
    Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge)

  • Martin J. Rees

    (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
    Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University
    Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge)

Abstract

The Universe is inhomogeneous — and essentially fractal — on the scale of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, but most cosmologists believe that on larger scales it becomes isotropic and homogeneous: this is the ‘cosmological principle’. This principle was first adopted when observational cosmology was in its infancy, and was then little more than a conjecture. The data now available offer a quantitative picture of the gradual transition from small-scale fractal behaviour to large-scale homogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelvin K. S. Wu & Ofer Lahav & Martin J. Rees, 1999. "The large-scale smoothness of the Universe," Nature, Nature, vol. 397(6716), pages 225-230, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:397:y:1999:i:6716:d:10.1038_16637
    DOI: 10.1038/16637
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    Cited by:

    1. Mahulikar, Shripad P. & Herwig, Heinz, 2009. "Exact thermodynamic principles for dynamic order existence and evolution in chaos," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 1939-1948.
    2. Santini, Eduardo Sergio & Lemarchand, Guillermo Andrés, 2006. "Accelerated expansion in a stochastic self-similar fractal universe," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 1099-1105.
    3. García-Farieta, J.E. & Casas-Miranda, R.A., 2018. "Effect of observational holes in fractal analysis of galaxy survey masks," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 128-137.

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