The question of whether the universe was created a second ago, along with all of our memories and evidence of its existence, is a philosophical concept known as "Last Thursdayism" or the "Omphalos hypothesis." It suggests the possibility that the universe and everything within it were created recently, but with the appearance of age and history.
From a scientific perspective, it is challenging to definitively prove or disprove this concept. However, based on our current understanding of the universe and the laws of physics, there is substantial evidence that supports the idea that the universe is much older than a mere second.
Cosmic microwave background radiation: The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is a faint radiation that permeates the entire universe. It is considered the afterglow of the Big Bang, an event that occurred roughly 13.8 billion years ago. The CMB provides strong evidence for the early stages of the universe's existence.
Observable universe: When we observe distant objects in the universe, we are effectively looking back in time because light takes time to travel to us. By studying distant galaxies and their light, we can gather evidence that points to an ancient and evolving universe.
Consistency with physical laws: The physical laws and constants of the universe, as we currently understand them, are finely tuned and consistent with an ancient universe. If the universe were created a second ago, it would require an intricate mechanism to make it appear as if it had existed for billions of years.
Geological and astronomical records: Earth's geological and astronomical records contain evidence of processes that took millions or billions of years to occur. For example, the formation of rock layers, the aging of stars, and the evolution of species provide a wealth of evidence for an extended history.
While it is impossible to definitively disprove the Last Thursdayism hypothesis, the vast array of scientific evidence supporting an ancient universe and the consistency of physical laws strongly suggest that the universe has existed for much longer than a second.