‘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.
Advertisement
2
The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe
Credit: NASA/WMAP Science Team
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.
Advertisement
READ MORE ON SPACE
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.
Advertisement
Most read in Science
Breaking
Exclusive
Exclusive
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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
Several major astronomical projects launching in the coming years aim to provide more information on the behaviour of dark energy
Credit: Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Death date' of universe revealed as scientists predict when ‘shrinking' will start before ‘Big Crunch' wipes us all out
THE universe will start to shrink in just 7billion years, a new study has claimed, upending the prediction that space is ever-expanding. The study, published by physicists from Cornell University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other institutions, suggests that the universe will reach a peak size. Advertisement 2 The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe Credit: NASA/WMAP Science Team 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. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPACE 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. Advertisement Most read in Science Breaking Exclusive Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Several major astronomical projects launching in the coming years aim to provide more information on the behaviour of dark energy Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Remarkable Nasa photo shows eerie Mars landscape scattered with ‘TREES' – and it's not the only mystery in the sand
THE famously desolate Mars landscape could be scattered with trees to the untrained eye, according to a recently shared Nasa image. However, the US space agency was quick to explain otherwise. Advertisement 6 The image was captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Credit: NASA 6 Dark streaks in the sand give the illusion of trees Credit: NASA " Are these trees growing on Mars? No," Nasa " Groups of dark brown streaks have been photographed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on melting pinkish sand dunes covered with light frost. " The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which had been in space just two years before taking the shot, was able to capture dark sand on the interior of Martian sand dunes - giving the illusion of trees. These tree-like dark streaks of sand are located near Mars' North Pole - which are usually covered in a layer of carbon dioxide ice in the winter. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPACE The dark sand had become more visible during the Martian spring, when the Sun melted the lighter carbon dioxide ice on the surface of the sand. " When occurring near the top of a dune, dark sand may cascade down the dune leaving dark surface streaks - streaks that might appear at first to be tree s standing in front of the lighter regions but cast no shadows," explained Nasa. " Objects about 25cm across are resolved on this image spanning about one kilometer. " Close ups of some parts of this image show billowing plume s indicating that the sand slides were occurring even while the image was being taken. " Advertisement Most read in Science Exclusive Exclusive But they're not the only bizarre-looking specimens located in Mars' faraway sands. 6 Can you spot the face? Credit: NASA A b uried face What looks like a grisly, The image, taken by the rover in September, appears to show a sandy face with a large brow bone, nostrils and a sloping mouth on the left side. Advertisement 6 Which do you see first - the angel or the heart? Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin South Pole 'angel' On the opposite side of the planet to Mars' mysterious 'trees', lies an 'angel' in the Martian regolith. Snapped by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express, this image of the Red Planet's South Pole seems to show an angel and a heart together. ESA Advertisement 6 Humans have found no signs of life on Mars - yet Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Martian bone In 2014, Nasa's Curiosity rover sent a photo back to Earth with what looked like a femur bone from a human thigh in the sand. Of course, it was just a strangely shaped rock - and not quite proof of aliens. Scientists at the time said the unusual shape was most likely the product of erosion by wind or water. Advertisement 6 There's no telling how far down this pit goes Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona Deep pit This deep and oddly circular pit on Mars could lead to an extensive network of underground tunnels that may Scientists captured the image of the hole from orbit at the Martian South Pole in 2017. While Nasa doesn't have any definitive answers on this odd round pit, the circular formation is likely a collapse pit or an impact crater. Advertisement Mars facts Here's what you need to know about the red planet... Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun It is named after the Roman god of war The landmass of Mars is very similar to Earth but due to the difference in gravity you could jump three times higher there than you can here Mars is mountainous and hosts the tallest mountain known in the Solar System called Olympus Mons, which is three times higher than Everest Mars is considered to be the second most habitable planet after Earth It takes the planet 687 Earth days to orbit the Sun The planet has a diameter of 4,212 miles, and has an average distance from Earth of 140 million miles Martian temperatures can vary wildly, reaching as high as 70F/20C or as low as -225F/-153C
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Handbag-sized rock found on floor is actually worth £2.9 MILLION after experts say it's biggest chunk of Mars ever found
THE largest chunk of Mars ever found on Earth could sell for up to £2.9million ($4million) in a Sotheby's auction later this month. Believed to have crashed here as a meteorite, the Martian rock weighs in at 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds). Advertisement 4 Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023 Credit: Sotheby's 4 The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there Credit: Sotheby's That's about 70 per cent larger than the previous record-holder - the 14.51kg Taoudenni 002 meteorite found in Mali back in 2021. Of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites on Earth, fewer than 400 originate from Mars. That makes the rock a particularly rare find. Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023. Advertisement READ MORE ON MARS Somewhere in the sparsely populated Agadez region of Niger, an area better known for its dinosaur fossils than its meteorites , the unnamed explorer found the lump of rock. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there. The meteorite "shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have not been significantly altered since its arrival in the Sahara Desert," Sotheby's said in its "In other words, NWA-16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently." Advertisement Most read in Tech Meteorites - a space rock that fails to burn up on entry through Earth's atmosphere - frequently fall to Earth. Although must are small and land unnoticed, often in the oceans. Mars Rock Samples- The Stories They Could Tell Scientists at Nasa It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space. However, some scientists question whether such a rare specimen should be up for sale. Advertisement "It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch," paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh . "It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large." Planetary scientist Julia Cartwright, from the University of Leicester told CNN she hoped that the rock may still be used for science anyway. "The scientific interest will remain," she said. Advertisement "The new owner may be very interested in learning from it, so we may still gather lots of science from this." Prior to landing at Sotheby's, the meteorite was show off to the public at an exhibition at the Italian Space Agency in Rome in 2024, and in a private gallery in Arezzo, Tuscany. The will begin on 16 July at 14:00 UTC. 4 It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space Credit: Sotheby's Advertisement 4 Mars is pockmarked with asteroid impact craters Credit: Alamy Mars facts Here's what you need to know about the red planet... Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun It is named after the Roman god of war The landmass of Mars is very similar to Earth but due to the difference in gravity you could jump three times higher there than you can here Mars is mountainous and hosts the tallest mountain known in the Solar System called Olympus Mons, which is three times higher than Everest Mars is considered to be the second most habitable planet after Earth It takes the planet 687 Earth days to orbit the Sun The planet has a diameter of 4,212 miles, and has an average distance from Earth of 140 million miles Martian temperatures can vary wildly, reaching as high as 70F/20C or as low as -225F/-153C
