摘要
The observed microwave background radiation （MBR） is commonly in- terpreted as the relic of an early hot universe, and its observed features （spectrum and anisotropy） are explained in terms of properties of the early universe. Here we describe a complementary, even possibly alternative, interpretation of MBR, first proposed in the early 20th century, and adapt it to modern observations. For example, the stellar Hipparcos data show that the energy density of starlight from the Milky Way, if suit- ably thermalized, yields a temperature of ~2.81 K. This and other arguments given here strongly suggest that the origin of MBR may lie, at least in a very large part, in re-radiation of thermalized galactic starlight. The strengths and weaknesses of this alternative radical explanation are discussed.
The observed microwave background radiation （MBR） is commonly in- terpreted as the relic of an early hot universe, and its observed features （spectrum and anisotropy） are explained in terms of properties of the early universe. Here we describe a complementary, even possibly alternative, interpretation of MBR, first proposed in the early 20th century, and adapt it to modern observations. For example, the stellar Hipparcos data show that the energy density of starlight from the Milky Way, if suit- ably thermalized, yields a temperature of ~2.81 K. This and other arguments given here strongly suggest that the origin of MBR may lie, at least in a very large part, in re-radiation of thermalized galactic starlight. The strengths and weaknesses of this alternative radical explanation are discussed.
基金
supported in part by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Research at the Perimeter Institute is supported by the Government of Canada through Industry Canada
by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Research and Innovation
