Einstein was right about invisible dark matter, massive new map of the universe suggests

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2023

admin

Astronomers have made the most detailed map ever of mysterious dark matter using the universe’s very first light, and the “groundbreaking” image has possibly proved Einstein right yet again.

The new image, made using 14 billion-year-old light from the turbulent aftermath of the Big Bang, shows the enormous matter tendrils that formed not long after the universe exploded into being. It turns out the shapes of these tendrils are remarkably similar to those predicted using Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

The new result contradicts previous dark matter maps that suggested the cosmic web — the gigantic network of crisscrossing celestial superhighways paved with hydrogen gas and dark matter that spans the universe — is less clumpy than Einstein’s theory predicted. The astronomers presented their findings April 11 at the Future Science with CMB x LSS conference at Japan’s Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Related: 10 discoveries that prove Einstein was right about the universe — and 1 that proves him wrong

“We’ve made a new mass map using distortions of light left over from the Big Bang,” Mathew Madhavacheril (opens in new tab) , a cosmologist at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement (opens in new tab) . “Remarkably, it provides measurements that show that both the ‘lumpiness’ of the universe, and the rate at which it is growing after 14 billion years of evolution, are just what you’d expect from our standard model of cosmology based on Einstein’s theory of gravity.”

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope, located in Chile’s Atacama Desert. (Image credit: Debra Kellner)

Scientists think that the universe that formed after the Big Bang teemed with matter as well as antimatter particles, which are identical to their matter counterparts but with opposite electrical charges.

Because matter and antimatter annihilate each other when they collide, if both were made in equal measure, all of the universe’s matter should have been annihilated. However, the rapidly expanding fabric of space-time, along with some helpful quantum fluctuations, kept pockets of the universe’s primordial plasma intact.

Then, according to the rules set out by Einstein’s theory of relativity, gravity compressed and heated these plasma pockets so that sound waves — called baryon acoustic oscillations — rippled outward from the clumps at half the speed of light. These gigantic waves pushed out matter that hadn’t already been sucked in on itself, creating the infant cosmic web: a series of thin films surrounding countless cosmic voids, like a nest of soap bubbles in a sink.

Once this matter cooled, it coalesced into the first stars, which pooled into matter-rich galaxies at the meeting points of the web’s tangled strands.

But in the past, astronomers studying the cosmic web found what seemed to be a massive discrepancy — the matter was significantly more evenly distributed and less lumpy than expected. It was an ominous sign that existing cosmological models were missing important physics.RELATED STORIES—Gargantuan chunk of ‘cosmic web’ discovered. It’s 50 million light-years long.

—How much of the universe is dark matter?

—Shredded ‘stellar streams’ could lead to the Milky Way’s missing dark matter

To dig into this apparent discrepancy, the researchers turned to the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) in Chile, which scanned a quarter of the entire night sky from 2007 to 2022. Using its incredibly sensitive microwave detector, the telescope picked up light from the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) — the universe’s very first light made just 380,000 years after the Big Bang — and used a process called gravitational lensing to map the concentrations of matter in the CMB.

Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon in which light moving through a region of space-time warped by powerful gravitational fields travels, in a curve — warping and twisting through a gigantic funhouse mirror until it emerges as a stretched-out arc called an Einstein ring. Gravitational lensing can detect dark matter, which makes up 85% of the universe’s matter but cannot be directly observed.

The new map contradicted previous ones made with visible light from galaxies, and showed that Einstein’s original theory was far more accurate than first thought.

What this means for our overall view of the cosmos’ early evolution is still too early to say, but the researchers suggest that additional maps made using the ACT’s data and fresh observations from the Simons Observatory — an under-construction Atacama Desert telescope that can scan the sky 10 times as fast as ACT — could finally resolve the perplexing cosmic mystery.

Environment

Tesla sales are down in every single European country except the UK, here’s why

Published

2 hours ago

April 9, 2025

admin

Tesla sales are down in every single European country except the UK, here's why

Tesla sales were down in every European country except for the UK in the first quarter, and there’s a reason why.

That’s while electric vehicle sales are still booming in Europe.

Tesla’s sales declined for the first time in Europe last year, but the decline accelerated in 2025.

Over the last three months, we have been reporting on worrying sales results for Tesla across most European markets, especially in important markets like France and Germany.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Now, we have the delivery numbers for Tesla in all European countries, and the automaker is down 37% on the old continent compared to 2024, which was already a down year for Tesla.

On top of it, Tesla is down in every single country except the UK.

Here are Tesla’s Q1 2025 deliveries in each European country compared to Q1 2024:

Country	Q1 2024	Q1 2025	Change
Germany	13,068	4,935	-62.2%
UK	11,768	12,474	6.0%
France	11,360	6,696	-41.1%
Belgium	7,219	3,019	-58.2%
Netherlands	6,854	3,445	-49.7%
Norway	5,121	3,817	-25.5%
Other	4,420	3,301	-25.3%
Sweden	4,312	1,929	-55.3%
Italy	3,721	3,469	-6.8%
Spain	3,601	3,169	-12.0%
Denmark	3,558	1,549	-56.5%
Switzerland	3,264	1,238	-62.1%
Portugal	2,888	2,145	-25.7%
Austria	2,506	1,304	-48.0%
Poland	1,264	899	-28.9%
Finland	894	475	-46.9%

The drop in sales in Germany was the most devastating for Tesla. It went from being Tesla’s biggest European market to being a distant third.

France also saw a significant 41% decline in sales.

This is also happening while electric vehicle sales are surging, regardless of Tesla’s performance.

Tesla is feeling the pain virtually everywhere in Europe except in the UK, but that’s because Tesla is selling its vehicles for much cheaper there.

In the UK, the Model Y PCP leasing starts at £399, which is the equivalent of €462, when the same vehicle starts €570 in Germany:

Interestingly, that’s not the case for the Model 3, which starts higher in the UK than in Germany.

Electrek’s Take

The reason for that is unclear to me. I’d love to hear theories in the comment section.

Could it be that Tesla planned to produce too many right-hand-drive vehicles and had to lower prices to ensure that it could deliver them?

It’s unclear, but I think the theory has some traction since I just learned that Tesla is also already discounting the new Model Y in Hong Kong – another right-hand-drive market.

Either way, I think it’s clear at this point that Tesla is having significant brand issues in Europe, in addition to increased competition.

Yes, Model Y had some supply issues due to the design changeover, but Model 3 sales are also down 11% compared to Q1 2024, when Tesla was still ramping up production of the Model 3 design refresh.

Tesla shareholders need to wake up. This is a self-inflicted wound that can be remedied by removing Elon Musk.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

Kia’s first electric sedan is almost here, but plenty more EVs are on the way

Published

2 hours ago

April 9, 2025

admin

Kia's first electric sedan is almost here, but plenty more EVs are on the way

That Kia EV sedan we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Kia also confirmed it will launch a midsize pickup in North America. Next week, three new Kia vehicles, including the EV4, its first electric sedan, will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Here’s what to expect.

Kia’s first electric sedan will debut at the NY Auto Show

Back in 2023, the EV4 stole the show as a concept during Kia’s first EV Day. Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the production model, debuting as the brand’s first electric sedan and hatchback.

The electric sedan is among the most highly anticipated EV launches of 2025. Kia’s EV4 will arrive this year as part of its low-cost EV lineup, and it could be a true challenger to the Tesla Model 3.

After opening orders in Korea last month, Kia said the EV4 will “set a new standard for electric sedans,” starting at just 41.92 million won, or about $28,000. It has two battery options, 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, providing a range of 237 miles (382 km) and 331 miles (533 km) in Korea.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

With its North American debut now officially set for next week, Kia teased the new EV, claiming it will be one of three new vehicles.

The new vehicles include a sedan, an SUV, and “something in between.” Two will be fully electric, while the other offers a “sporty and versatile approach in the compact car segment.”

More EVs are on the way, including an electric pickup

During its CEO Investor Day on Wednesday, Kia confirmed plans to launch a new midsize EV pickup for North America. In the long-term, the company aims to eventually sell 90,000 units for about 7% of the market share.

Kia’s electric pickup will be based on a new EV platform built for city and outdoor use. According to Kia, it will offer “best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities, and advanced infotainment and safety features.”

Kia-EV-pickup-US — Kia Tasman pickup truck (Source: Kia)

Following the EV6 and EV9, Kia is expanding its electric car lineup with the new EV3, EV4, and EV5, which will roll out this year. Kia is also launching its first electric van, the PV5, to kick off its new PBV business.

By 2030, the company plans to sell 2.33 million electrified vehicles, accounting for 56% of global sales. This includes 1.26 million EVs and 1.07 million hybrids.

As it expands its lineup, Kia expects electrified models to account for 70% of sales in North America, 85% in Europe, and 73% in Korea by the end of the decade.

Kia boasted that it will “lead the mass adoption of EVs by expanding its EV lineup with the addition of another volume model, the EV2,” which is expected to launch in early 2026.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

U.S. crude oil falls 3%, trades below $58 per barrel as China imposes retaliatory tariffs

Published

3 hours ago

April 9, 2025

admin

U.S. crude oil falls 3%, trades below per barrel as China imposes retaliatory tariffs

An oil pumpjack is seen in a field on April 08, 2025 in Nolan, Texas.

Brandon Bell | Getty Images

U.S. crude oil futures fell about 3% on Wednesday, as China announced retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s sweeping levies took effect.

The U.S. benchmark dropped $1.83, or 3.07%, to $57.75 per barrel by 9:41 a.m. ET. Global benchmark Brent tumbled $1.93, or 3.07%, to $60.89.

The oil sell-off took a leg lower earlier in the session after Beijing announced tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods in response to Trump’s levies. U.S. crude fell more than 7% to an intraday low of $55.12, while Brent tumbled to $58.40 at its lowest point during the session.

China’s tariffs take effect on April 10.

Traders are worried the world is descending into a full-blown trade war that will trigger a recession, hitting crude oil demand. OPEC+, meanwhile, has agreed to accelerate output in May, which will bring more oil to a market that was already facing a surplus.

The collision of recession fears and growing oil supply is a “toxic cocktail,” Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC on Tuesday.

The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to hold talks in Oman on Saturday to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Successful negotiations could result in more Iranian oil entering the global market.