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In the late 1950s, roughly half the astronomers who voted on whether the universe began with a Big Bang said “No.”
By Science News
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July 11, 1959 | Vol. 76 | No. 2
Discuss Origin of Universe
THE WORLD’S top astronomers do not agree on the origin of the universe. Of 33 participating in a SCIENCE SERVICE Grand Jury on this subject, there was a virtually equal division on whether or not the universe started with a “big bang” several billion years ago. To this question, 11 (33.3%) voted “Yes,” and 12 (36.4%) voted “No,” while 10 (30.3%) were counted as “Not Voting.” Concerning the more recent theory that matter is being continually created and destroyed, opinion was more sharply divided among the 33. More than half of those responding, 18, or 54.5%, said they did not agree. Eight, or 24.2%, replied they did believe matter is being continually created, and seven, or 21.2%, did not vote. Of the 33 experts, 23, or 69.7%, showed high hopes that one or the other of these opposing theories would be proved right within the next 41 years, while three, or 9.1%, thought they would never be solved.
Besides answering questions, the 33 astronomers polled were given an opportunity to make any comment they desired, with assurances of anonymity for their remarks. Not all astronomers agreed with the idea of a poll. One said, “I do not believe that polls such as this one serve any useful scientific purpose and in fact are apt to be misleading. I prefer, therefore, not to participate.” Another astronomer said that much of the “fun of astronomical research” would be removed if a sure answer to the question of the origin were ever found.