Steady State Theory

     The Steady State Theory was considered by George Gamow whose thoughts challenged those of the Big Bang Theory.  The back and forth triumphs and failures of both theories are demostrated in the article, "Big Bang or Steady State."  Gamow's work was followed up by Fred Hoyle, who fought to defend the Steady State Theory.  He claimed that the Big Bang theory, Steady State's rival, was a ridiculous concept.  The basic argument of the Steady State theory is that the universe was unchanging yet dynamic, like a smoothly flowing river.  The unchanging earth was dynamic because matter was continuously being created.  There were challenges that the Steady State Theory overcame and some for which the theory offered no answer.  The main obstacle that discredited the Steady State Theory was the idea of radiation.  Gamow had argued that the universe would be full of radiation and energy, but two scientists, Alpher and Herman, discovered that the temperature of the universe would now be about 5 degrees Kelvin.  Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson conducted  a similar experiment with microwave radiation which discredited the Steady State Theory, although it was already largely discredited.