Classroom Resources  
Student Article

Is Our Universe Stranger Than We Thought?

By: Marcus Chown
Originally Published in  Science Focus

Our picture of the cosmos is incredibly detailed, but it's by no means complete. There are crucial pieces missing in the cosmic jigsaw. And without them the picture just doesn't make sense.

The article "Is Our Universe Stranger Than We Thought?" from BBC Science Focus is a fascinating look at new research on the Universe that challenges what we thought we knew. Differences in how we measure the Universe's expansion and how galaxies are spread out suggest there may be missing pieces in our understanding of space.
Student Article Info

BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Illustration of two celestial planets
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

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Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 400-500L
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Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 600-800L
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Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1100-1300L
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