The Big Bang theory is more widely accepted than the steady state theory primarily because it is supported by multiple lines of evidence, including:
-
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: The Big Bang theory predicts the existence of a uniform background radiation that should fill the universe. This radiation was discovered in the 1960s and is a key piece of evidence supporting the theory.
-
Redshift of Galaxies: Observations show that distant galaxies are moving away from us, and their light is redshifted, indicating that the universe is expanding. This supports the idea of a hot and dense beginning, as proposed by the Big Bang.
-
Abundance of Light Elements: The Big Bang nucleosynthesis model accurately predicts the observed ratios of light elements (such as hydrogen, helium, and lithium) in the universe, which aligns with observations.
-
Scientific Consensus: The Big Bang theory has garnered broader acceptance within the scientific community because it consistently explains observations and leads to testable predictions, while the steady state theory has struggled to account for the same level of empirical evidence.
In contrast, the steady state theory, which posits that the universe is eternal and unchanging on a large scale while new matter is continuously created to fill the gaps left by expanding galaxies, has not been able to provide convincing evidence or predictions that align with current astronomical observations. This lack of support and empirical validation has led to its decline in acceptance among scientists.