The Energy Depletion Model of Light and Cosmology

Abstract

We model the energy depletion of light from a distant object with two components: loss in photon rates (number of photons) and loss per photon particle. We model the rate loss based on intergalactic extinction, which, unlike extinctions within our local group of Milky Way, LMC and SMC, has not been previously accounted for. Ignoring intergalactic extinction results in the overestimation of cosmic distances with standard distance moduli. Such extinction effect is more profound on large scales (Gpc) that we have only started to observe today. We then apply the tired light model for energy loss (redshift) per photon. These two model components are mathematically very simple, leading to a new equation between luminosity distance and redshift. The model performed equally well as ΛCDM with Pantheon + SN data while outperforming it with the deep-field galaxy angular size test. The main implications of the intergalactic extinction model are two-fold: it identifies a major bias in distance measurements based on standard candles; it is also a key missing piece for static universe models to offer as viable alternatives to ΛCDM. Thus, the model has further implications on the interpretation of cosmic redshift, Hubble’s law, the Hubble constant, Hubble tension, and universe history.