Another interesting measurement discrepancy that scientists initially ascribed to measurement error is the Axis of Evil. The first space telescope Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), launched in the 90's, that made a map the cosmic microwave background (CMB) included a pattern in it which aligns the CMB with the solar system's plane very precicely, which is hard to ascribe to chance. This contradicts the Copernican principle, which says that earth and the solar system is not special and any solar system and location in the universe is not special.
Scientists thought it must be something to do with the COBE telescope which caused this anomaly. They thought it would disappear with the next space telescope.
The second space telescope that measured the CMB, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), launched in 2001, made a more precise, higher resolution image of the CMB. However, the anomaly was still there. Still scientists thought there must be something wrong in the measurements or calculations. They were keeping their hopes up for the third space telescope that would measure the CMB.
The third space telescope, the Planck Surveyor, launched in 2009, made even more precise measurements. However, the anomaly still persists, and to this day. That is why the anomaly has gotten the name "Axis of Evil", because it defies all our understanding of the universe!
Scientists thought it must be something to do with the COBE telescope which caused this anomaly. They thought it would disappear with the next space telescope.
The second space telescope that measured the CMB, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), launched in 2001, made a more precise, higher resolution image of the CMB. However, the anomaly was still there. Still scientists thought there must be something wrong in the measurements or calculations. They were keeping their hopes up for the third space telescope that would measure the CMB.
The third space telescope, the Planck Surveyor, launched in 2009, made even more precise measurements. However, the anomaly still persists, and to this day. That is why the anomaly has gotten the name "Axis of Evil", because it defies all our understanding of the universe!