Scientists shed light on relative universe
Frank Thorne12 April 2012
In a relative universe, one thing is supposed to be constant - the speed of light. But a team of Australian scientists claim it is slowing down.
The research, published today in the scientific journal Nature, is based on observations of distant bright objects in the universe known as quasars.
Cosmologist Professor Paul Davies, of Macquarie University in Sydney, says light appeared to have "hit a speed bump" sixbillion years ago, and "slowed" to its present 186,000 miles per second.
If so, astronauts may be able to catch up the speed of light. "This is Star Trek stuff. We could possibly reach the stars in days or weeks," added Professor Davies.
