If confirmed, the results from the team of the National Observatory Kitt Peak in Arizona, USA will have a profound impact on the theories of the evolution of the universe, putting on the table that its current expansion could be reversed
The dark energy, the mysterious power that feeds on the expansion of the universe, seems to be weakened, according to a study that could overturn the current understanding of scientists about the fate of the universe.
If confirmed, the results by the team of the Dark Spectacle (DESI) team of the National Observatory of Kitt Peak in Arizona, USA, will have a profound impact on the theories of the evolution of the universe, putting on the table the possibility that its current expansion could eventually be reversed.
What is dark energy
Dark energy was discovered in the late 1990s, when astronomers used distant supernova bursts to explore how the pace of secular expansion has changed over time. Their expectation was that gravity would have to neutralize the expansion of the Big Bang, but on the contrary, the supernova showed that the rate of expansion accelerated, pushed by some unknown power that scientists called dark energy.
Dark energy has been considered to be a steady, which means that the universe will encounter its end in a scenario called Big Freeze, when everything is finally removed so much that even light cannot bridge the gap between galaxies. The latest findings, which are announced today (20/3) at the World Physics Conference of the American Physicist Society in Anachaim, California, question this prevailing view.
Three -dimensional map of the universe
The desi uses its 5,000 “eyes” from fiber optic to map the universe with unprecedented accuracy. His latest edition records 15 million galaxies, covering 11 billion years of history, which astronomers have used to create the most detailed three -dimensional map of the universe to date.
The results suggest that dark energy has reached its climax when the universe was about 70% of its old age and is now about 10% weaker.
This would mean that the expansion rate is still accelerating, but that the dark energy “gently lifts its foot from the pedal”.
The great crush
If the dark energy continues to decrease to the point where it becomes negative, the universe is projected to end in a scenario in reverse of the Big Bang, known as Big Crunch.
Scientists do not know why dark energy, which is generally estimated to represent about 70% of the universe – with the rest consisting of dark matter and ordinary matter – can decrease or if it indicates that physics laws change or that a critical ingredient is missing.
Professor ofer Lahav, an astronomer at University College, London and a Desi associate, said: “We can say that we have no idea what dark matter or dark energy is. The theory of dark energy is already quite difficult and now it has become even more complicated. But we can also see it more positively. We have been stuck with dark energy for 20 years. Now physicists have new questions. “
Source: Cnn.gr