Taking a closer look at the CMBR and its designation as relic radiation from the Big Bang. To begin with, although today static is a thing of the past, right up to the late 70’s, static was a considerable problem in the transmission of radio and Television. Just what is/was this static? In many ways this was the precise problem that Penzias set out to solve in the 1960’s, although he was primarily concentrating on nascent technology involving the use of microwave radiation in satellite communication, which at the time was cutting edge technology. On researching the equipment used by Penzias & Wilson the following conclusions were reached. In those days transistors had not come into commercial use and MCB’s were just a speck in the imagination of radio engineers. So Penzias had to make do with radio valves, although these were of the best quality available. The basic equipment used was a Dicke radiometer, that compares signals strengths against a fixed reference. The device had a sensitivity of about 10^-8 watts, it enabled Penzias and his team to meticulously eliminate interference from different sources. In the end, after eliminating interference from faults in the equipment, atmospheric interference, and even fall-out from nuclear bomb tests, the team were left with the conclusion that the unaccounted signal they were receiving had no specific origin, it appeared to originate from all directions simultaneously, with a uniform signal strength. Looking for answers Penzias & Wilson came across the work of Robert Dicke at Princeton University who was looking for proofs of the Big Bang. Following in the footsteps of Gamow and Alpher’s reasoning that relic radiation from the Big Bang must be visible in the present day Universe in the form of a black body microwave radiation, Dicke had been conducting his own research into the CMBR but had been beaten to the finish by Penzias & Wilson. The moment that Penzias heard that a search was on for such a type of radiation, he knew that his search for the origin of the strange radiation they had picked up was over. Penzias & Wilson offered Dicke the opportunity of being named a co-researcher on the project, but he opted out, with the result that he missed out on the Nobel prize.
The question, is with all the hyperbole that is in place and the huge dependence that modern Cosmologists place on the CMB, is it true? Looking at the vast empty inter-Galactic regions of space, that would have to account for the CMBR, it is found that the radiation has a very low density at around 3 microwatts per cubic metre.
The power density of the CMBR is typically calculated using the Planck law for blackbody radiation, and the energy density (in W/m^3) is related to the temperature of the radiation. At a temperature of 3 K, the CMBR has a power density of approximately:
3W m^3
To convert this power density (3 W/m³) to decibels relative to a reference of 1 W/m³ :
L_dB = 10 . log_10 (P_cmbr/P_ref)
Substituting the values:
L_dB = 10.log_10 (3/1) = L_dB 10 . log_10(3) =4.77dB
So, 4.77 dB represents the power density of the CMBR 3 W/m³, relative to a reference of 1 W/m³.
The information that is the most relevant is that: 4.77dB is quite a strong signal, strong enough in fact to account for all the static present in early radio receivers and televisions. Although this by itself does not prove anything, the very fact that this signal originates in the vast intergalactic spaces is enough to question the CMBR as relic radiation from the Big Bang, it might just as equally and with far more justification be due to radiation from the Universe in the present day. A signal of 4.77dB would represent a considerable percentage. This fact seems to be clouded over or ignored and statements that extremely sensitive equipment is needed to detect the CMB is the rule of the day. This is only a partial truth, in fact to distinguish between the finer distinctions in the CMBR involves the use of sophisticated equipment, the actual overall signal is as has been demonstrated quite robust.
Another point to remember is that the CMBR is diffuse Black Body radiation radiation having its peaks at different frequencies, which would be accounted for by radiation from more densely populated parts of the Universe such as Galaxies.
Any thoughts on the above would be greatly appreciated. One proof that might be pertinent is that Penzias & Wilson were able to actually hear the CMBR on their receiver and they invited the team from Princeton to hear the signal. I should add at this point that Penzias & Wilson 'heard' the CMBR using the old valve type radio receivers. today with digital signals it is no longer possible to hear this signal.
The question, is with all the hyperbole that is in place and the huge dependence that modern Cosmologists place on the CMB, is it true? Looking at the vast empty inter-Galactic regions of space, that would have to account for the CMBR, it is found that the radiation has a very low density at around 3 microwatts per cubic metre.
The power density of the CMBR is typically calculated using the Planck law for blackbody radiation, and the energy density (in W/m^3) is related to the temperature of the radiation. At a temperature of 3 K, the CMBR has a power density of approximately:
3W m^3
To convert this power density (3 W/m³) to decibels relative to a reference of 1 W/m³ :
L_dB = 10 . log_10 (P_cmbr/P_ref)
Substituting the values:
L_dB = 10.log_10 (3/1) = L_dB 10 . log_10(3) =4.77dB
So, 4.77 dB represents the power density of the CMBR 3 W/m³, relative to a reference of 1 W/m³.
The information that is the most relevant is that: 4.77dB is quite a strong signal, strong enough in fact to account for all the static present in early radio receivers and televisions. Although this by itself does not prove anything, the very fact that this signal originates in the vast intergalactic spaces is enough to question the CMBR as relic radiation from the Big Bang, it might just as equally and with far more justification be due to radiation from the Universe in the present day. A signal of 4.77dB would represent a considerable percentage. This fact seems to be clouded over or ignored and statements that extremely sensitive equipment is needed to detect the CMB is the rule of the day. This is only a partial truth, in fact to distinguish between the finer distinctions in the CMBR involves the use of sophisticated equipment, the actual overall signal is as has been demonstrated quite robust.
Another point to remember is that the CMBR is diffuse Black Body radiation radiation having its peaks at different frequencies, which would be accounted for by radiation from more densely populated parts of the Universe such as Galaxies.
Any thoughts on the above would be greatly appreciated. One proof that might be pertinent is that Penzias & Wilson were able to actually hear the CMBR on their receiver and they invited the team from Princeton to hear the signal. I should add at this point that Penzias & Wilson 'heard' the CMBR using the old valve type radio receivers. today with digital signals it is no longer possible to hear this signal.
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