‘Death date' of universe revealed as scientists predict when ‘shrinking' will start before ‘Big Crunch' wipes us all out
The study, published by physicists from Cornell University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other institutions, suggests that the universe will reach a peak size.
After that point, the universe will begin contracting until everything collapses back into a single point.
A reverse Big Bang of sorts, which scientists have dubbed the "Big Crunch".
Using data from a number of astronomical surveys including the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, the researchers predict that this "Big Crunch" will occur in approximately 33.3billion years.
With the universe currently 13.8billion years old, this gives Earth and everything else roughly 20billion years before entering oblivion, according to the study.
The theory is that the universe expands like a "rubber band" - eventually, the elastic force becomes stronger than the expansion, causing everything to snap back together.
The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe.
Dark energy has long been believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe.
However, recent observations suggest the force might actually be dynamic - meaning it can only expand so much until it shrinks again.
The new model proposed by researchers suggests the universe will continue expanding but at a gradually slowing rate.
At its maximum size, about 69 per cent larger than the size it is today, a gradual contraction will begin.
Mystery Martian hills found on Mars sparking hope 'time capsule' mounds will solve biggest mystery from 4BILLION yrs ago
Several major astronomical projects launching in the coming years aim to provide more information on the behaviour of dark energy.
These missions could confirm or rule out a "Big Crunch" scenario.
Even if the terrifying outcome is confirmed, a 20billion year countdown is hardly a reason to panic.
For context, complex life on Earth has existed for only about 600million years - a fraction of time in comparison.
20billion years down the line, the Sun will have died and our galaxy will have collided with the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy long before 'the great end'.
The prediction also comes with a significant level of uncertainty.
The researchers have acknowledged that their model has large margins of error due to limited observational data.
So, alternative scenarios - including eternal expansion - are still possible.
2
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Husband's disgusting act after his wife was diagnosed with brain cancer: 'What the hell was going on'
A woman battling cancer has shared heartbreaking messages from her husband, who left her and took all their who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, said her condition has been severe, involving multiple surgeries and treatments. 'My husband of six years up and vanished, drained our mutual account and sent me this when I asked what the hell was going on,' she wrote on a post shared to social media. Despite her illness, she remained devoted to her husband. 'My condition is foul, I've had multiple surgeries, treatments, etc … But I've always been faithful, I still cooked him dinners up until this happened. He's pretty convinced I'm dead to rights, I personally think I have a chance …' Alongside her post, Marie included an MRI scan showing the tumour and a text message from her husband explaining why he left. 'Listen, it's been hard, I can't handle watching you die,' the message read. 'I feel alone, I feel trapped, I'm not sure where or what I'm going to do … I've invested a lot during your treatment so I'm recouping what I put in plus extra for my future. I can still have one.' He went on to tell Marie she should 'be happy for me, that I can live for us both.' He also sent her three disturbing videos, then appeared on camera holding a bottle of wine while talking about another woman 'She is the one that makes me happy. Everything, she meets my needs and you don't and you won't and you haven't,' he said. 'I'm at the point now where I'm feeling alone when I'm with you, and small.' A recent study published in The Times revealed men were more likely to leave their wives after a cancer diagnosis. The study looked at more than 25,000 couples across 27 countries during an 18-year period and found that divorce was more likely when the wife was sick. And if it was the husband who had health issues, the couple was no more likely to split than if both were healthy. Professor Alex Broom, a sociologist at the University of Sydney, said the findings highlight a troubling imbalance in caregiving within relationships. 'Research has often shown that women bear the brunt of caring responsibilities at both ends of life - the early years and the twilight years,' he told 'But also, that the men in their lives can be ill-equipped to provide them with care and support when they need it, whether in the context of serious illness or at the end of life.' 'The reality is, women do a disproportionate amount of informal caring, and receive less, on average, themselves -often at critical moments.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
From muscle endurance to immunity, it's WOMEN who are the stronger sex
Asked to imagine someone 'strong' and perhaps you'd conjure up an image of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his weightlifting heyday, all gleaming biceps and pecs. The world's fastest man, Olympic running legend Usain Bolt, might also come to mind. But what if we chose different qualities to define strength rather than merely the ability to lift heavy things briefly or move fast for a short period of time?
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The unexpected Ozempic side effect that has men rushing to get their hands on it
A new study suggests that drugs like Ozempic may do more than lower blood sugar and aid weight loss, they could also raise testosterone levels in men. Researchers from S. Louis University Hospital found that men taking GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), saw their testosterone levels increase by 24 percent after 18 months of treatment. Testosterone is a vital hormone responsible for male sexual development, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, and fat distribution. Low testosterone is common in men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes and is linked to fatigue, reduced libido, and decreased quality of life. The new findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs may also improve reproductive health in men affected by these conditions. Researchers say the results open the door for further investigation into how anti-obesity medications can impact hormone levels and overall well-being. Lead author Dr Shellsea Portillo Canales, an endocrinology fellow at SSM Health St Louis University Hospital said: 'While it is well known that weight loss from lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery increases testosterone levels, the impact that anti-obesity medications may also have on these levels has not been widely studied.' 'Our study is among the first to provide compelling evidence that low testosterone can be reversed with the use of commonly prescribed anti-obesity medications.' The researchers analyzed existing medical records of 110 adult men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. All of the participants were being treated with semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) for one and a half years. All three drugs are known to mimic the effects of GLP-1, a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar and appetite, often leading to lower blood sugar and weight loss. None of the men were on testosterone or hormonal therapy before or during the experiment. Some risks of testosterone therapy include worsening sleep apnea, acne, enlarging the prostate or breasts, increasing the growth of prostate cancer, reducing sperm counts, causing the testicles to shrink and increasing the risk of clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. The researchers measured the participants' total and free testosterone levels before and during their treatment. Results showed that the participants experienced 10 percent of weight loss and saw their testosterone levels rise from 53 percent to 77 percent. The scientists are yet to discover how GLP-1 drugs can increase testosterone. However, previous research has shown that excess fat can force the body to convert testosterone into estrogen, a female hormone. But when obese individuals start to lose weight, they reduce their body fat stores, which can improve insulin sensitivity in the body and reduce overall inflammation. Both decreased inflammation and weight loss can help the body produce more testosterone and prevent the conversion of the male hormone into estrogen. Talking about the preliminary results, Dr Portillo Canales said: 'Results from this study show that there is a direct correlation between the use of anti-obesity medications and testosterone levels. 'Doctors and their patients can now consider this class of medications not only for the treatment of obesity and to control blood sugar, but also to benefit men's reproductive health.' But despite clear results, the study authors noted that further research is needed to establish a clear link between the drugs and an increase in testosterone. However, seeing how beneficial the discovery is, Dr Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital who was not involved in the study, told NBC News: 'The findings from this study highlight an important intersection between metabolic health and hormonal balance. 'This dual benefit underscores the potential of these medications to enhance overall health outcomes, including reproductive health, in this population.' Average testosterone levels in men are between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. Testosterone tends to decline gradually with age, starting around the late 30s to early 40s. By the age of 75, the average male testosterone level drops to about 65 percent of the average level seen in young adults, Dr Portillo Canales said. The findings were presented today at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's meeting in San Francisco.
