Recent cosmological findings suggest we are at the centre of the universe, upending five hundred years of scientific understanding 

In the 5th century BCE, Greek scholar Parmenides outlined one of the first geocentric models of our solar system. He declared that the Earth is spherical and is situated in the centre of the universe. Later scholars such as Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, and Ptolemy devised similar Earth-centric models that would prevail for another two thousand years until in 1543, Copernicus demonstrated that in fact, the Earth rotates around the Sun. It took another forty years before Giordano Bruno demonstrated that our solar system is not the centre of the universe, but rather, one star system amongst a multitude of others. It has remained that way ever since. 

Perhaps, however, that is all about to change, because two pieces of research have really questioned the isotropic universe model. Firstly, there is something scientists have dubbed the axis of evil. If proved correct, it would force cosmologists to radically alter their long-standing assumption that the universe should be the same in every direction (homogeneous and isotropic). What the data in the axis of evil model describes, is a universe with a structure that is aligned towards a common axis, roughly in line with our solar system. At first, this was dismissed as a statistical error, something that would be ironed out with further measurement, but the pattern has stubbornly refused to go away, despite years of rigorous observational study. 

Whilst not completely confirmed, it can’t be dismissed either, despite facing huge scrutiny. The fact that the universe seems to be aligned along the same axis as our solar system, would suggest we are at the centre of the universe, but this surely can’t be true? After all, we aren’t even at the centre of our galaxy, how could our little solar system be at the centre of the whole universe? And yet bizarrely, that’s what the data appears to be saying! There’s a great video about it here by cosmologist Dr Becky, explaining why it is so, and how the evidence has withstood considerable scientific scrutiny. 

That struck me as highly significant, but then another piece of cosmology compounded it, giving it even more impact. In a paper published by the Royal Society, three mathematicians: Temple, Alexander & Vogler, produced a mathematical proof that the standard model of cosmic expansion, the one built around dark energy, is fundamentally unstable. Their non-dark energy model of the universe proposes that the Big Bang originated from a region of under-density near Earth, causing huge shockwaves, which then rippled outwards, uniformly, in all directions. 

Again, this puts Earth squarely in the centre of the universe. Unlike the axis of evil, this hasn’t been externally verified by observational data. Nonetheless, it is mathematical proof, which is in itself pretty convincing. It is difficult not to get too carried away with these findings. They are mind-blowing after all.

Most cosmologists will dismiss them, of course. They do not fit into the orthodox, materialist viewpoint, and so every possible alternative explanation will be given. If none of them work, they will shrug their shoulders or remain quiet on the subject. ‘We need more data,’ they will say. I appreciate it is a huge ask to get the entire scientific community to alter their direction, five hundred years after Copernicus set it in motion, but that’s what it would take. That’s because it would mean that Earth is not just another blip in the cosmos, but rather, is significant and purposeful, perhaps even the principal reason the universe is here.

I have written many times in the past how my own investigations into cosmology led me to believe in a Deist Creator— a God who designs everything according to the laws of physics, then steps back to witness His creation. Believing in a Creator does not necessarily mean you believe all Holy Scripture is 100% scientifically accurate. You don’t have to believe in the Bible just because you think the Universe was created by an unknowable Higher Being. Nor does it have to contradict the laws of science and invoke superstitious woo-woo. It’s perfectly plausible that this Being made the universe according to rules we now know as science, and stood back to watch it all unfold. 

I don’t know if we are the centre of the universe, but I do believe the events that brought about the universe we find ourselves in are too fantastical, too perfect, and too awe-inspiring to be a fluke, an accident, and without purpose. Perhaps cosmologists will come up with some new answers as to why we appear to be at the hub of it all, but I know that the more I learn about the cosmos, the more certain I am that there is more to our existence than we can ever fully know. That simple fact keeps me grounded and humble. It stops me from arrogantly thinking I have all the answers and focusses my mind on the God that I know is at the heart of all things. The God that brings value to the universe and meaning to my existence. The God that puts me at the heart of His creation: the centre of my universe. 

Sources

An Instability in the Standard Model of Cosmology creates the Anomalous Acceleration without Dark Energy, Blake Temple, Harvard University, April 8, 2016

The instability of critical and underdense Friedmann spacetimes at the Big Bang as an alternative to dark energy, Temple, Vogler, Alexander, 27 May 2026. 

The Axis of Evil in the cosmic microwave background Dr Becky 

The Mystery of the Axis of Evil in the Cosmic Map, Science News Today, ScienceNewsToday December 31, 2025

The Axis of Evil: Inside the CMB Quadrupole-Octopole Alignment, Dr Elena Vance, 21 May 2026