Correlated ‘noise’ in LIGO gravitational wave signals: an implication of Conformal Cyclic Cosmology
Abstract
This review critically examines the interpretation proposed by Roger Penrose and collaborators of correlated “noise” observed in LIGO gravitational wave signals as empirical support for Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC). The analysis focuses on the logical, statistical, and methodological steps connecting the observational data to the cosmological claims. It is shown that the alleged correlations do not uniquely support CCC and that the inference relies on assumptions that are neither observationally justified nor formally necessary. In particular, the identification of instrumental or environmental correlations with cosmological signatures is argued to involve a category error between data-processing artifacts and physical observables. The review concludes that, while CCC remains an interesting speculative framework, the LIGO “noise” correlations discussed by Penrose do not constitute empirical evidence for it, nor do they satisfy the standards of theoretical closure and falsifiability required for cosmological inference.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN