Intermediate Mass Stars in the Early Universe
TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information
A team of American astronomers has uncovered evidence for another design feature of the universe. Mounting evidence along several different lines of investigation demonstrates that the fine structure constant does not vary over cosmic time. The only apparent evidence for time variation lies in quasar absorption line spectra. However, the team found that this apparent evidence is eliminated if the early universe was particularly rich in intermediate-mass stars. Moreover, they showed how such stars could account for the Milky Way Galaxy manifesting the just-right abundances of life-essential elements at the just-right time so that the existence of physical, intelligent life would be possible. The fine-tuning of the population level of intermediate-mass stars in the early history of the universe to make advanced life possible establishes yet another design characteristic of the universe.
- Timothy P. Ashenfelter and Grant J. Mathews, “The Fine-Structure Constant as a Probe of Chemical Evolution and Asymptotic Giant Branch Nucleosynthesis in Damped Lya Systems,” Astrophysical Journal 615 (2004): 82-97.
- https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/journal/issues/Apj/v615n1/60371/brief/60371.abstract.html
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