Archive · 26 Jul 2025
New Theory Predicts Universe's End Is Nearer Than Expected
Imagine the universe is like a balloon being blown up.
Scientists thought the air (dark energy) was always blowing it up at the same speed.
Now, a new idea says the air might be changing.
It suggests the universe might stop growing and then start shrinking, like the balloon deflating.
This could happen because of two things: a gentle energy mist and a force that pulls things back together.
If this is true, everything will eventually smash together in a 'Big Crunch,' and the universe won't last as long as we thought!
A new theory suggests the universe's expansion might reverse, leading to a Big Crunch.
Dark energy, the force driving expansion, may not be constant, according to recent observations.
The theory proposes dark energy is composed of axions and a negative cosmological constant.
The 'beginning of the end' is estimated in about 10 billion years, with a total lifespan of 33 billion years.
This theory is speculative and requires further confirmation through future observations.
- Who
- Theorists using data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).
- What
- A new theory suggests the universe will end in a 'Big Crunch'.
- When
- The 'beginning of the end' is predicted in about 10 billion years.
- Where
- The entire universe.
- Why
- Because dark energy, the force pushing the universe apart, may be changing, potentially leading to a reversal of expansion.
Current Cosmological Model
New Theoretical Model
Dark Energy's Nature
Current Cosmological Model
Dark energy is a constant force.
New Theoretical Model
Dark energy is changing over time.
- Theory Origin
- Dark Energy Survey (DES) and DESI data
- Dark Energy Components
- Axions and a negative cosmological constant
- Current Universe Age
- Not explicitly mentioned in the text, but the article indicates it's nearing the end of its estimated lifespan
- Beginning of End
- Approximately 10 billion years from now
- Total Universe Lifespan (predicted)
- Approximately 33 billion years