A New Approach to Understanding the Universe and Its Expansion

In this paper we conduct a model free analysis of the expansion of the universe using stellar luminosity data that is available for redshifts, z< 1.8. Our results lead to an expansion velocity of 6.87  0.36 × 106 ms-1, and Hubble constant of 70.9  3.7 km/s/Mpc consistent with other theories. This analysis leads us to a new theory to explain the expansion of the universe that augments general relativity to create a container within which quantum effects can be explained by treating time as an artefact of a fourth, expanding, spatial dimension. We show that the theory can be applied to not only explain mass creation, the speed of light limit, gravity, black holes without singularities and other macroscopic effects, but also to interpret physical effects at the subatomic level such as wave particle duality and electron spin. It provides a solution to the double slit conundrum and can explain how quantum entangled partners can behave in a quantum way and pass seemingly time-defying information. The theory also provides a quantitative link to the fine structure constant from the expansion velocity.