Dark matter and dark energy may only be a cosmic illusion

Introduction

Bernard Rizk reports on a cosmological perspective advanced by Rajendra Gupta, an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa, who leads a study published in Galaxies (2025) titled Testing CCC+TL Cosmology with Galaxy Rotation Curves. The central claim is provocative: dark matter and dark energy may be emergent effects of slowly evolving fundamental forces rather than distinct substances. The core idea is that the strengths of nature’s forces, such as gravity, can vary over time and space, creating observational signatures that resemble dark matter halos around galaxies and an accelerated cosmic expansion typically attributed to dark energy. The article emphasizes that this is a theoretical framework that reinterprets established phenomena through evolving constants of nature.

“The universe's forces actually get weaker on the average as it expands,” - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor in the Department of Physics, University of Ottawa.

The CCC+TL Cosmology and the α Parameter

The new model introduces a parameter α that emerges when coupling constants evolve. In essence, α behaves like an additional component in the gravitational equations, capable of producing effects attributed to dark matter and dark energy without invoking new particles or modified physics beyond the constants themselves. On cosmological scales, α is treated as a constant—often determined by fitting data such as supernova observations. Locally, however, α can vary within a galaxy due to the heterogeneous distribution of matter, causing the extra gravity to depend on where matter resides. In regions with dense matter, the extra gravitational effect is reduced, while in low-density regions it can be more pronounced.

“α behaves like an extra 'component' in the gravitational equations that produces effects similar to what astronomers attribute to dark matter and dark energy,” - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor, University of Ottawa.

From α to Galaxy Rotation Curves

One practical outcome of this α-driven framework is the ability to reproduce flat rotation curves in galaxies without postulating dark matter halos. The model suggests that the evolving constants create an apparent extra gravity that balances the centrifugal forces of orbiting stars, leading to the observed high rotational speeds in the outer parts of galaxies. This mechanism offers a coherent explanation for a long-standing puzzle in astrophysics, tying galaxy-scale dynamics directly to the behavior of fundamental forces rather than to unseen matter.

“Instead of adding dark matter halos around galaxies, the extra gravitational pull comes from α in the new model,” - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor, University of Ottawa.

Cosmological Implications and Early Structure Formation

Beyond individual galaxies, Gupta’s approach has implications for the evolution of the universe as a whole. He argues that the evolving constants can stretch the cosmic timeline, potentially doubling the age of the universe and making room for the rapid emergence of large galaxies and black holes in the early universe. This reframing could alleviate tensions about how massive structures formed so quickly after the Big Bang, by allowing a longer timescale for growth within the same physical laws. The idea challenges the necessity of exotic particles to explain early structure formation, instead attributing these phenomena to changes in fundamental interactions over cosmic time.

"The timeline of the universe simply stretches out, almost doubling the universe's age and making room for everything we observe," - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor, University of Ottawa.

Implications for Dark Matter Searches and Future Research

The proposed framework raises questions about the long-standing quest to detect dark matter particles. If dark matter and dark energy are artifacts of evolving constants, the drive to discover new particles could shift toward tests of how coupling constants evolve in different environments and epochs. Gupta notes that even if exotic particles are eventually found, they would need to account for only a fraction of the universe's mass budget—approximately six times that of ordinary matter would be required under some interpretations—suggesting a substantial rebalancing of theoretical and experimental priorities.

"Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the best one. Maybe the universe's biggest secrets are just tricks played by the evolving constants of nature," - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor, University of Ottawa.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Rizk concludes by highlighting that Gupta’s model represents a radical shift in thinking about cosmology and galaxy dynamics. The study invites further scrutiny, replication, and exploration of how evolving constants might manifest across different scales. If validated, this approach could transform the search for dark matter, reframe our understanding of cosmic history, and herald a new era of physics where the constants of nature themselves drive the universe’s observed behavior.

"The simplest explanation is the evolving constants of nature," - Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor, University of Ottawa.