In the end, our huge universe cannot be endlessly expanding. Some recently considered Dark energy The data may contradict the theory, first posing in 1922 by astronomer Alexander Friedman. According to a study recently published in Cosmology and Physics Journal of AstropaticsCosmos will actually end with a “big crunch”. And if the hypothesis is true, we are almost halfway.
The universe began about 13.8 billion years ago with big bangAccording to modern physics. Nevertheless, the data is darker when it comes to the final fate of the cosmos. For decades, many researchers agreed with calculations indicating that the Universe could simply continue to expand endlessly in all directions. In recent years, some experts have made much more specific conclusions, including Long freezing Or even Big RIPField
The physicist of Cornell University Henry Ty and his colleagues think differently. Recently, they presented new information about Dark Energy, obtained from several observatories to a space model, showing what is known as Cosmological constantThe field first described by Albert Einstein in 1917, the constant was originally a coefficient intended for balancing gravitational force in a static universe. Although abandoned after Edward Hubble confirmed Continuous expansion of the universe In 1929, physicists later revived the cosmological constant with both positive and negative assessments depending on their theory.
For about two decades, most experts had to be in favor of a positive constant scenario, which states that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. But the results of Tai show something else.
“New data seems to indicate that the cosmological constant is negative, and that the universe will end with a great crunch,” he said in his statement.
Information comes from two main reports published earlier this year: Dark energy examination And Dark energy spectroscopic instrumentBoth projects were organized to determine 68 percent of the total mass and energy, In a aggregate called dark matter, it arises from pure cosmological constant. Instead of confirming this, now it seems that there are other forces at work.
Although these “forces” remain riddles, the team of secret experimented with the introduction of a hypothetical, extremely low mass particle into their cosmic equations. Although initially he behaved as a cosmological constant in the earliest eons of the universe, he no longer acts the same way. From this constant, since then has become negative.
“People have already said that if the cosmological constant negative, then the universe will ultimately collapse. This is not new, ”Tai explained. “However, here the model tells you when the universe collapses and how it collapses.”
If in the end this is true, the Universe will reach its maximum size after 11 billion years. At this moment, physics (and this negative cosmological constant) will dictate whether it will begin to abandon one point. Then, after 33 billion years of existence, the Universe will distribute itself in non -existence.
This can be another convincing hypothesis, but it is based on the latest data available on some of the most intriguing components of space.
“In the 1960s, we learned that [the universe] It has a beginning, ”said Tai. “It's nice to know that if the data is held, the universe will end.”
