Recent findings from an international team of over 900 scientists suggest that dark energy, the mysterious force believed to drive the accelerated expansion of the universe, may not be constant as previously thought. This revelation comes from analyses of galaxy movements, which indicate that the force influencing them appears to change over time.
Dark energy is estimated to constitute nearly 70% of the universe, while ordinary matter, including stars, planets, and humans, accounts for only about 5%. The research, utilizing the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) based in Tucson, Arizona, aims to create a three-dimensional map of the universe's 11 billion-year history, revealing how galaxies have clustered through time and space.
The results challenge the prevailing cosmological model. If dark energy varies, it could imply a fundamental shift in our understanding of the universe's fate. This finding aligns with an earlier theory suggesting that as the universe expanded, galaxies clustered according to Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Astrophysicist David Spergel emphasizes the importance of this research, stating that the behavior of dark energy dictates the ultimate destiny of the universe. If dark energy remains stable, the universe will continue to expand, growing colder and emptier. Conversely, if its force increases, the universe could face a catastrophic scenario known as the Big Rip. However, Spergel reassures that if such an event were to occur, it would be billions of years away, highlighting the need for further data to confirm these theories.