SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND EXTERNAL UNIVERSE THEORY: CHALLENGING THE CONVENTIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE COSMOS THROUGH THE LENS OF THE BIG BANG

Abstract

This study ascertained the science communication and external universe theory, challenging the conventional understanding of the cosmos through the lens of the Big Bang. The inflation Universe theory and the cyclic Universe theory were anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilising the documentary method. The documentary method involves analysing existing records, publications, and scientific literature relevant to cosmological theories, with a focus on peer-reviewed journals, books, and credible scientific reports. The population of the study comprised academic publications, observational data from space missions, and theoretical papers in cosmology. The sample size includes 50 selected documents and purposive sampling was employed to ensure that only sources offering substantial insights and empirical evidence were included. Data collection involved systematically reviewing and extracting information from the selected documents. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, which involved categorising the information into themes such as the limitations of the Big Bang theory, alternative cosmological models, and the role of science communication in shaping public understanding. The findings revealed that, the Big Bang Theory faces critical limitations, including the horizon problem, which questions the uniformity of the universe despite causally disconnected regions; the flatness problem, which challenges the fine-tuned spatial geometry of the universe; and the singularity issue, which leaves the origin of the universe unexplained and conflicts with quantum mechanics. The study concluded that the limitations of the Big Bang Theory, including the unresolved horizon and flatness problems, singularity, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy, highlight the theory's inability to provide a complete account of the universe's origins. These gaps necessitate continuous theoretical advancements and empirical investigations to construct a more comprehensive cosmological framework. The study recommended that Future research should focus on developing and testing new theoretical frameworks that address unresolved issues such as the horizon problem, flatness problem, singularity, and the role of dark matter and dark energy.