On Gravity-centric Cosmology and the Implications of a Universe Awash with Plasma

The Standard Model (of Cosmology) is the collective name given to the generally accepted explanation of the origin and current behavior of our Universe. It has at its heart the often quoted theory of 'The Big Bang' and is based upon Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. More recently, theorists have attempted to integrate the known forces in the universe. For many decades there have been significant challenges to the Standard Model. Some scientists either feel uncomfortable with an emphasis on mathematics at the expense of empirical evidence, or they know of alternate theories to account for much of what we observe, some of which offer simpler explanations than the Standard Model. This paper is aimed at introducing readers to an alternative broadly known as the Plasma Universe or Plasma Cosmology, to examine some of the recent work of several theorists, and to highlight the importance of the role of plasma in space. It is deliberately broad in scope and sparse in detail to allow those from all disciplines to understand it without the need for dedicated training in any specific field, and to provoke questions that the inquisitive may wish to pursue further.