A cyclic model of the universe

Science. 2002 May 24;296(5572):1436-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1070462. Epub 2002 Apr 25.

Abstract

We propose a cosmological model in which the universe undergoes an endless sequence of cosmic epochs that begin with a "bang" and end in a "crunch." Temperature and density at the transition remain finite. Instead of having an inflationary epoch, each cycle includes a period of slow accelerated expansion (as recently observed) followed by contraction that produces the homogeneity, flatness, and energy needed to begin the next cycle.