When did Alan Guth propose cosmic inflation theory?
Alan Guth proposed cosmic inflation theory in January 1980. He presented his model at a SLAC seminar on the 23rd of January 1980.
Questions about Cosmic inflation
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What problems does cosmic inflation solve according to the script text?
Cosmic inflation solves the horizon problem, flatness problem, and magnetic monopole problem. It expands space exponentially fast during the very early moments to dilute pre-existing particles and smooth out temperature variations across the cosmos.
How long did cosmic inflation last based on theoretical calculations?
The expansion lasted at least 10^-35 seconds though its full duration remains uncertain among physicists. During inflation distances between points doubled every 10^-37 seconds according to theoretical calculations.
Who calculated quantum fluctuations that became seeds for large-scale structures?
Viatcheslav Mukhanov and G.V. Chibisov first calculated these fluctuations while analyzing Starobinsky's similar model in the early 1980s. Four groups working separately at the three-week 1982 Nuffield Workshop confirmed these calculations independently including Stephen Hawking and Alan Guth with So-Young Pi.
When did the COBE satellite observe temperature anisotropies supporting inflationary paradigms?
The COBE satellite observed temperature anisotropies in 1992 exhibiting nearly scale-invariant spectra as predicted by inflationary paradigms. Planck spacecraft analysis demonstrated universe flatness to within one percent and homogeneity to one part in 100,000.