Indications of a spatial variation of the fine structure constant

TL;DR

This study suggests a possible spatial variation in the fine structure constant across the universe, supported by combined telescope data indicating a dipole pattern with high statistical significance.

Contribution

It provides evidence for a spatial dipole variation in alpha, combining data from Keck and VLT telescopes, which is a novel approach in this research area.

Findings

Combined dataset fits a spatial dipole with 4.2-sigma significance.

VLT and Keck data show consistent dipole directions and amplitudes.

No systematic effects identified that could explain the observed pattern.

Abstract

We previously reported Keck telescope observations suggesting a smaller value of the fine structure constant, alpha, at high redshift. New Very Large Telescope (VLT) data, probing a different direction in the universe, shows an inverse evolution; alpha increases at high redshift. Although the pattern could be due to as yet undetected systematic effects, with the systematics as presently understood the combined dataset fits a spatial dipole, significant at the 4.2-sigma level, in the direction right ascension 17.5 +/- 0.9 hours, declination -58 +/- 9 degrees. The independent VLT and Keck samples give consistent dipole directions and amplitudes, as do high and low redshift samples. A search for systematics, using observations duplicated at both telescopes, reveals none so far which emulate this result.