A LOFAR-led radio survey suggests the solar system may be moving roughly 3.7 times faster than predicted by the standard cosmological model. The team measured a stronger-than-expected anisotropy in the distribution of radio galaxies, a result that aligns with earlier infrared quasar studies. If confirmed, this could challenge the assumption of large-scale isotropy or indicate the radio-galaxy population is not as uniform as believed. Further observations and independent checks are required.
Solar System May Be Moving 3.7× Faster Than Thought — Could This Shake Up Cosmology?
A LOFAR-led radio survey suggests the solar system may be moving roughly 3.7 times faster than predicted by the standard cosmological model. The team measured a stronger-than-expected anisotropy in the distribution of radio galaxies, a result that aligns with earlier infrared quasar studies. If confirmed, this could challenge the assumption of large-scale isotropy or indicate the radio-galaxy population is not as uniform as believed. Further observations and independent checks are required.
07:50 AM, 11/15/2025Science
New radio survey finds unexpected motion of the solar system
A team of astronomers using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) and two additional radio telescopes reports that the solar system may be moving through space more than three times faster than earlier estimates. The result — an anisotropy in the distribution of radio galaxies about 3.7 times stronger than predicted by the standard cosmological model — could force cosmologists to re-examine key assumptions about the large-scale universe.
How the measurement was made
The researchers mapped the sky using radio galaxies, which emit strong radio waves from extended lobes that can travel through cosmic gas and dust more readily than shorter wavelengths. Because these radio sources are widely distributed, a tiny excess of sources should appear in the direction of the solar system's motion; detecting that excess requires very large, sensitive surveys such as LOFAR's.
Lukas Böhme (Bielefeld University) said the team's analysis indicates the solar system's motion is more than three times faster than current models predict. Team member Dominik J. Schwarz added that either we must revisit basic assumptions about cosmic large-scale structure or the radio-galaxy population is less uniform than previously believed.
Independent lines of evidence
The new radio result echoes earlier infrared studies of quasars — bright, accreting supermassive black holes — which showed a similar directional signal. The agreement between independent methods strengthens the case that the effect may be real rather than a measurement artifact.
What this could mean
If confirmed, the finding would challenge the expectation of isotropy (uniformity in all directions) built into the standard model of cosmology and could point to new physics or unexpected structure in the distribution of radio-loud galaxies. The authors stress caution: additional surveys, cross-checks and independent analyses will be needed to confirm the result and to determine whether the discrepancy reflects a breakdown in assumptions or a bias in source populations.
Publication: The study was published on Nov. 10 in Physical Review Letters.