New Planck Map Shows Universe Is 100 Million Years Older And Expanding Slower Than Thought

A new map out of the European Space Agency's Planck mission shows that our universe is slightly different than we previously thought. Namely, it looks like the universe is not only older, but is expanding at a slower rate as well. 

"Astronomers worldwide have been on the edge of their seats waiting for this map," said NASA scientist Joan Centrella. "These measurements are profoundly important to many areas of science, as well as future space missions. We are so pleased to have worked with the European Space Agency on such a historic endeavor."

The findings reveal that the universe is somewhere around 13.8 billion years old, approximately 100 million years older than was commonly thought. It also turns out that there is less dark energy, and more normal and dark matter in the universe. 

What does that translate to? Well, dark energy is thought to be the main cause of our universe's expansion. Less dark energy means the universe isn't expanding as fast. 

The team of researchers were able to construct the map from minuscule temperature fluctuations in the universe's microwave background. This 'ancient light' allows the scientists to create a map since matter, both normal and dark types, alters the light's path, and the silhouetting creates an outline. 

"As that ancient light travels to us, matter acts like an obstacle course getting in its way and changing the patterns slightly," said U.S. scientist Charles Lawrence from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "The Planck map reveals not only the very young universe, but also matter, including dark matter, everywhere in the universe."