SIGNS that the expansion of the Universe is accelerating may be an illusion.
Scientists think particles called axions might create the mirage by hijacking
light as it travels the cosmos.
Three years ago, cosmologists found that very distant supernova explosions
are fainter than they should be. This suggested that space had stretched more
than expected as the light sped towards Earth, so it had to travel farther. The
Universe appeared to be expanding faster and faster
(Â鶹´«Ã½, 11 April 1998, p 26).
With scientists struggling to explain what force could drive this
acceleration, a team in the US…
