Skeptical Inquirer - Committee for Skeptical Inquiry en
Copyright 2013 2013-12-11T16:12:24+00:00 The Problem with the
Cosmological Constant Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:32:00 EDT () The idea
of an expanding universe was first proposed in 1927 by the
astronomer Georges-Henri Lemaître. Although Lemaître’s
calculations showed that an expanding universe was consistent
with Einstein’s general relativity theory, Einstein disagreed
and reportedly told Lemaître, “Your math is correct, but your
physics is abominable.” Einstein still held the traditional
belief that the universe is a static “firmament,” as implied in
the Bible and most other scriptures that present creation myths.
“Static” here does not mean that objects are all at rest. They
are moving about, but their average distance apart stays the
same.  Victor J. StengerVictor J. Stenger  Einstein had inserted
into his gravitational equation a factor called the cosmological
constant that provided a repulsive force to counteract the
gravitational attraction that otherwise