New radio galaxy measurements reveal our solar system travels through space at over three times expected speed, challenging fundamental cosmological models.

New measurements of radio galaxies reveal that the solar system is racing through the universe at over three times the speed predicted by standard cosmology.

Using highly sensitive data from multiple radio telescope arrays, researchers uncovered a surprisingly strong dipole pattern--one that challenges longstanding assumptions about how matter is distributed across cosmic scales.

The results echo similar anomalies seen in quasar studies, hinting that something fundamental about our universe's structure or our motion through it may need rewriting.

A research team led by astrophysicist Lukas Bohme at Bielefeld University has now found new answers, ones that challenge the established standard model of cosmology.

The study's findings have just been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

"Our analysis shows that the solar system is moving more than three times faster than current models predict," says lead author Lukas Bohme.

"This result clearly contradicts expectations based on standard cosmology and forces us to reconsider our previous assumptions," added Bohme.

To determine the motion of the solar system, the team analysed the distribution of so-called radio galaxies, distant galaxies that emit particularly strong radio waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation with very long wavelengths similar to those used for radio signals.

Because radio waves can penetrate dust and gas that obscure visible light, radio telescopes can observe galaxies invisible to optical instruments.