Electric Universe Theory: Is Space Powered by a Cosmic Electrical Grid?
How does the universe really work?
When we think about how the universe works, most of us have been taught that gravity is the key force, pulling planets into orbits and keeping galaxies together. Gravity is what shapes the cosmos—at least, according to mainstream physics. But what if there’s another, hidden force at play? The Electric Universe theory offers a different take, suggesting that space is not an empty vacuum, but rather a giant web of electricity. Imagine the same electricity that powers your home, but on a cosmic scale, shaping the stars, planets, and galaxies in surprising ways. Could electrical forces be the key to unlocking some of the universe's biggest mysteries?
Electricity in Space; A Hidden Web?
In regular science, space is seen as a vast emptiness, with gravity as the dominant force that moves stars, planets, and galaxies. The Electric Universe theory flips this idea on its head, suggesting that space is far from empty. It’s filled with charged particles, and between them, powerful electric currents may flow like invisible rivers through the cosmos.
Traditional physics teaches us that electric and magnetic forces are important, but mainly on smaller scales, like in stars, planets, or the Earth’s atmosphere. Gravity, by contrast, works over huge distances and is responsible for keeping planets in orbit or galaxies together. But the Electric Universe theory argues that these electric forces could be much more influential, possibly shaping galaxies and even the universe itself.
This theory proposes that massive, unseen electrical networks stretch across space, connecting stars and galaxies in ways gravity can’t explain. While gravity pulls things together, electrical forces could be pushing and pulling objects in space, altering their movements and interactions in unexpected ways.
Weird Thought: The idea of a hidden web in space is like the 'Wood Wide Web' of forests, where trees communicate through underground networks of fungi. But instead of trees, it’s stars and galaxies talking to each other with electrical signals!
Stars Plugged In—The Solar System's Shocking Power Source
Most scientists agree that stars, like our Sun, are powered by nuclear fusion, a process where hydrogen atoms fuse into helium, creating massive amounts of energy. This fusion occurs deep in the star's core, and it's what makes stars shine. But the Electric Universe theory suggests that stars may not be creating all their energy themselves. Instead, they could be 'plugged in' to space itself, drawing power from vast electrical currents.
In this version of the universe, stars act like cosmic nodes, connected to a larger, unseen electrical grid. These electric currents could flow through space, feeding energy directly into stars. This would mean that the Sun, and other stars, aren’t just giant nuclear reactors—they’re also part of a huge cosmic power system.
Supporters of the theory argue that evidence of electrical activity in space is all around us. For example, the auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. Could similar, but much more powerful, electrical currents power the Sun and other stars?
Weird Thought: If the Sun is 'plugged in' to the universe’s electric grid, it could explain some of the strange solar phenomena we see, like sudden solar flares or eruptions, which might be caused by electrical surges!
Galactic Mysteries Solved? What’s holding it all together?
Gravity is traditionally thought to explain the structure of the universe. It’s why galaxies hold together, why planets orbit stars, and why black holes form. But the Electric Universe theory suggests that gravity alone may not be enough to explain everything we see. Some galaxies, for example, spin in ways that don’t quite match what we’d expect if only gravity was involved.
In mainstream science, dark matter is often used to explain these anomalies—an invisible substance that interacts with gravity but not with light. But the Electric Universe theory offers a different explanation. If powerful electrical forces exist between galaxies, they could be influencing how galaxies spin and behave, without the need for mysterious dark matter.
Supporters of the theory argue that some cosmic events, like sudden star explosions (supernovas) or bursts of radiation, could also be triggered by electrical surges in space, not just by gravitational collapse or fusion reactions. They believe these electrical forces might help explain why some stars behave unpredictably or why galaxies form intricate, spiral patterns that seem almost too perfect for gravity alone to shape.
Weird Thought: The idea that electricity might be shaping galaxies could explain why some galaxy clusters behave in strange ways that don’t align with what gravity alone predicts. Electrical currents between stars or even between entire galaxies could be the missing link in understanding these cosmic oddities!
I really love the article today. Wal Thornhill was a favourite maverick of mine, and a true "heretic" from the pseudoreligious consensus scene.
It leads one to wonder: if everything is electric, then randomness and relativity, dark matter and Big Bang Theory are destined to go on the shelf beside Aristotle's On Biology -- at the back of the stacks near the recycle bin.