Could Redshift Be an Illusion? A Second Time Dimension and Angular Momentum in Cosmology

Introduction

For decades, cosmologists have attributed the redshift of distant galaxies to the expansion of the universe, as described by the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (λCDM) model. However, what if redshift is not entirely due to expansion, but instead has a component arising from an unknown higher-dimensional effect—specifically, an angular momentum effect through a second time dimension?

This idea, once dismissed as speculative, is now worth re-examining, particularly given recent James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of unexpectedly mature galaxies at extreme redshifts. If a second time dimension exists, it could alter our interpretation of cosmic distances and evolution, offering an alternative explanation for the anomalies observed in deep-space surveys.

Theoretical Foundation: A Second Time Dimension

Einstein Field Equations and Higher Dimensions

The Einstein field equations (EFE) are written in tensor notation, which does not inherently specify the number of space and time dimensions. If we extend the usual 4D spacetime (3 + 1) to 3 + 2 to (three spatial and two temporal dimensions), the EFE could still apply, but with modifications to the metric tensor guv to account for the additional degree of freedom.

The presence of an extra time dimension could introduce:

• Additional geodesic motion components.
• A possible cyclic or helical structure to spacetime trajectories.
• A reinterpretation of redshift as a result of motion through this second time dimension.

Redshift and Angular Momentum in the Extra Time Dimension

If light propagates through a second time dimension, it might experience an additional angular momentum effect that alters its energy without requiring space itself to expand. This could manifest as a systematic shift in photon wavelengths that mimics the effect currently attributed to cosmological redshift.

Rather than being purely a Doppler-like stretching due to recession, redshift could partially result from a projection effect—where light moves through a helical or curved trajectory in 3 + 2 spacetime, gradually losing energy in a manner that scales differently from standard expansion-based models.

Predictions: How This Model Deviates from Standard Cosmology

If redshift contains a contribution from motion through an extra time dimension, we would expect deviations from the standard CDM model in several key ways:

1. Modified Redshift-Distance Relationship

• In the standard model, redshift z scales with distance according to the expansion rate of the universe (parameterized by the Hubble constant H₀).
• In a 3 + 2 model with rotational effects in an extra time dimension, we would expect a nonlinear deviation from the standard Hubble law at extreme redshifts. Specifically, objects at high z might appear closer in cosmic time than currently assumed, leading to an overestimation of their evolutionary maturity.

2. Deviations in Time Dilation Effects

• Supernova light curves provide a direct test of cosmic time dilation. In an expanding universe, higher-redshift supernovae should experience greater time dilation effects.
• If redshift is partially caused by motion through a second time dimension rather than expansion, we would expect a breakdown in the standard time dilation-redshift relation at extreme z.

3. Implications for the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

• The standard model predicts the CMB’s anisotropies based on the early universe’s expansion history.
• If redshift contains a second-time component, the inferred age and structure of the early universe could be different, possibly requiring a reassessment of the CMB’s power spectrum and temperature fluctuations.

4. Apparent Evolutionary Maturity of High-Redshift Galaxies

• JWST has found fully-formed galaxies at z > 10 , suggesting they formed much earlier than expected.
• If our model is correct, these galaxies may not be as close to the Big Bang as their redshifts suggest, but instead exist in a reinterpreted cosmic timeline where redshift is partly a projection effect rather than an indicator of expansion rate.

Testing the Hypothesis

To determine whether a second time dimension contributes to redshift, we could:

1. Analyze High-Redshift Supernovae: Look for deviations in the expected time dilation behavior at z > 2 .
2. Compare Alternative Redshift-Distance Models: Fit observational data using both standard expansion-based redshift and a model incorporating an angular momentum component in a second time dimension.
3. Investigate CMB Anomalies: Examine whether temperature fluctuations align better with a modified redshift interpretation.
4. Search for Direct Geometric Evidence: Identify possible signatures of helical or rotational motion in cosmological datasets.

Conclusion: A Radical Yet Testable Hypothesis

The idea that redshift could be partly an illusion caused by angular momentum through a second time dimension challenges the foundations of modern cosmology. However, with new observational tools like JWST providing unexpected findings, it may be time to reconsider our assumptions about cosmic expansion. If this hypothesis is correct, it could redefine how we measure time, distance, and the evolution of the universe itself.

The next step? Running simulations and observational tests to determine whether this alternative framework aligns better with the data than current expansion-based models. As AI and computational physics advance, exploring such possibilities is no longer just speculative—it is an essential step in refining our understanding of the cosmos.