Rival theories in cosmology

Abstract

This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the standard hot big bang model and concludes that there is enough room for improvement in the way the model deals with the current observational and conceptual issues. It then describes the recent attempts by F. Hoyle, G. Burbidge and the author to revitalize the old steady state cosmology into a new form called the quasi-steady state cosmology which seems better able to deal with the above issues. A brief discussion is given of the theoretical framework of the new model and how it is tested against (i) the observations of discrete sources, (ii) the origin of light nuclei, (iii) the microwave background and (iv) the ages of stars and galaxies. Future tests which may be able to test the signature of the model are described.