Cosmic calculation may settle debate about the rate the universe grows

By Leah Crane

One of the most frustrating questions in modern cosmology may be getting closer to an answer. The different methods we use to measure the rate of expansion of the universe have been in disagreement for years, but a relatively new measurement technique seems to be providing the first steps towards resolving the dispute.

The universe is constantly expanding, and the rate at which that expansion accelerates is described by a number called the Hubble constant. There are two main ways that we determine this …