Latest news with #cosmology
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Universe may have started inside black hole, not from Big Bang
The universe may not have begun with the Big Bang as is generally thought but from the collapse of a massive black hole, a new theory suggests. Current observations of our universe appear to support the Big Bang and cosmic inflation theories, which say that the early universe sprang into existence from a singular moment in space and time and rapidly blew up in size. The theories, however, leave many fundamental questions unanswered. For one, in the Big Bang model, the universe begins with a singularity, a point of infinite density where the laws of physics break down, making it difficult to understand what existed before the beginning. Two, after the explosion, the universe is said to have undergone accelerating expansion powered by yet unknown forces with strange properties. That is to say this model of cosmology explains the origin of the universe by introducing new forces and factors that have never been directly observed while still not explaining where everything came from. The new theory, described recently in the journal Physical Review D, probes what happens when the early universe's dense collection of matter collapses under gravity instead of tracing back how it all began. This is a process similar to what happens when stars collapse into black holes, but exactly what is inside these dense cosmic entities remains a mystery. Current theories state that, under typical conditions, the collapse of extremely dense matter inevitably leads to a singularity. But how exactly the rules of quantum mechanics, which dictate the behaviour of tiny particles, apply at the ultrasmall scales of a singularity is unknown. The new theory proposes that a gravitational collapse does not necessarily have to end in a singularity. It uses mathematical equations to show a collapsing cloud of matter can become extremely dense and then 'bounce' and rebound outward into a new expanding phase. 'The bounce is not only possible, it's inevitable under the right conditions,' study author Enrique Gaztanaga writes in The Conversation. 'The cosmological implication of this new approach is a novel understanding of the origin of the universe that emerges from the collapse and subsequent bounce of a spherically symmetric matter distribution.' The theory combines the framework of general relativity, which applies to largescale cosmic objects like stars and galaxies, with the principles of quantum mechanics that dictate how tiny atoms and particles behave. Crucially, it explains an early state universe without implying the existence of mysterious forces. The new theory is also testable as it predicts that the universe is not flat but slightly curved like the surface of the Earth, researchers say. If future observations can confirm that the shape of the universe indeed has a small curvature, it could suggest that it all began from a bounce. 'The smoking gun for our bouncing scenario is the presence of a small spatial curvature,' researchers write. Scientists hope further development of the theory can shed more light on current cosmic mysteries like the origin of monster black holes, the nature of dark matter, and factors influencing the evolution of galaxies. 'The black hole universe also offers a new perspective on our place in the cosmos,' Dr Gaztanaga writes. 'In this framework, our entire observable universe lies inside the interior of a black hole formed in some larger 'parent' universe.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Is THIS how the world will end? Scientists reveal the startling odds that the Milky Way will collide with the Andromeda galaxy – swallowing Earth in the process
From the death of the sun to a sudden asteroid impact, there are a number of terrifying ways the world could end. Now, scientists have revealed just how likely one of those doomsday scenarios really is. Researchers from Durham University have calculated the odds of the Milky Way colliding with the Andromeda galaxy, swallowing the Earth in the process. Across 100,000 simulations, the researchers found that there is a 50/50 chance of our galaxy colliding with Andromeda within the next 10 billion years. This collision - estimated to occur at a staggering speed of 220,000mph - would be 'devastating' for both galaxies, the experts warn. Before you start to panic, the good news is that this probability is actually significantly lower than previous studies had suggested. Co-author Professor Alis Deason, a computational cosmologist at Durham University, said: 'It used to appear destined to merge with Andromeda forming a colossal "Milkomeda". 'Now, there is a chance that we could avoid this fate entirely.' The researchers say that the likely scenarios are that the galaxies pass by at over one million light-years apart (left) or they drift within 500,000 light-years (right) for a close pass At 2.5 million light-years from Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy is the Milky Way's nearest major galaxy. The large spiral galaxy measures 152,000 light-years from end to end and is believed to be roughly the same mass as the Milky Way. But as the Milky Way and Andromeda drift through space, the gravitational pull of other nearby galaxies is pushing them dangerously close together. As they pass in space, the galaxies' mutual gravitational attraction causes them to spiral ever closer together and, eventually, to merge. Although galactic collisions are rare, light from very distant galaxies, which has been travelling since the early days of the Universe, gives us a hint of what this might look like. Co-author Professor Carlos Frenk of Durham University, a cosmologist at Durham University, says: 'The Universe is a dynamic place, constantly evolving. 'We see external galaxies often colliding and merging with other galaxies, sometimes producing the equivalent of cosmic fireworks when gas, driven to the centre of the merger remnant, feeds a central black hole emitting an enormous amount of radiation, before irrevocably falling into the hole.' Previous studies had suggested that the Milky Way and Andromeda would almost certainly suffer this fate in around five billion years' time. If Andromeda (pictured from Earth) and the Milky Way merge after eight billion years, the Sun will likely have extinguished before this time MAGELLANIC CLOUDS: SATELLITE GALAXIES FOR THE MILKY WAY The Magellanic Clouds can be seen in the night sky with the naked eye and have been observed by ancient cultures for thousands of years. The Large Magellanic Cloud is a relatively small 160,000 light years away from us, while the Small Magellanic Cloud is around 200,000 light years away. They orbit the Milky Way once every 1,500 million years and each other once every 900 million years. They were the closest known galaxies to the Milky Way until recently, when the Sagittarius and Canis Major dwarf galaxies were discovered and found to be even closer. However, the researchers' new simulations now suggest that this might not be the way the world ends. Professor Frenk says: 'Until now we thought this was the fate that awaited our Milky Way galaxy. We now know that there is a very good chance that we may avoid that scary destiny.' In just two per cent of the 100,000 simulations, the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies collided within five billion years. In around half of the simulations, the galaxies passed close enough to one another that they slowed, and began to spiral around into an eventual merger. However, these collisions took place within eight to 10 billion years' time, rather than five billion. This suggests that the collision between the two galaxies is not likely to mean the end of the world. Lead author Dr Till Sawala, of the University of Helsinki, told MailOnline: 'Our results suggest that a collision, even if it happens, might take place after the Earth and the sun no longer exist. 'Even if it happens before that, it's very unlikely that something would happen to Earth in this case - even when two galaxies collide, collisions between stars are very unlikely. Even if the Milky Way and Andromeda do merge before the sun dies, Earth will likely be unaffected since collisions between stars are so rare. Picture: a graph showing the simulated distances between the two galaxies The researchers say their simulations yield a lower probability because they took more of the Milky Way's neighbouring galaxies into account, in particular the pull from a galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. Although this 'satellite galaxy' is relatively small, its pull is in the right direction to significantly impact the Milky Way's trajectory through space. Including this factor in the simulations, makes it much less likely that the Milky Way will get close to Andromeda. The bad news is that it is 'nearly certain' that the Milky Way will merge with the Large Magellanic Cloud in around two billion years. 'However, unlike the possible merger between the Milky Way and Andromeda, the merger with the Large Magellanic Cloud will be a so-called "minor merger" that will leave the Milky Way intact,' adds Dr Till.
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- General
- Sustainability Times
'Dark Energy Just Got Stranger': Groundbreaking Discovery Shakes the Foundations of How We Understand the Entire Universe
IN A NUTSHELL 🌌 The Dark Energy Survey (DES) has uncovered findings that challenge the notion of dark energy as a constant force. has uncovered findings that challenge the notion of dark energy as a constant force. 🔭 Using the powerful Dark Energy Camera (DECam) , researchers mapped a significant portion of the universe over six years. , researchers mapped a significant portion of the universe over six years. 📉 Anomalies in baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) suggest a smaller scale than predicted by the standard cosmological model. suggest a smaller scale than predicted by the standard cosmological model. 💡 New data from Type Ia supernovae strengthen the idea that dark energy might be dynamic, reshaping our cosmic understanding. The universe, as we perceive it, is a tapestry woven with the enigmatic threads of dark matter and dark energy. For decades, the standard cosmological model, known as ΛCDM, has crafted our scientific understanding, asserting that a staggering 95% of the cosmos is composed of these mysterious entities. Among them, dark energy is believed to be the driving force behind the accelerating expansion of the universe, acting as a repulsive force. However, recent findings from the Dark Energy Survey (DES)</strong) have introduced complexities that challenge our existing perceptions of this force. Dark Energy: A Cosmological Constant, or So We Thought Dark energy has long been modeled by the cosmological constant, a concept introduced by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. This term represents a mysterious force supposed to counteract gravity, thereby causing the universe's expansion to accelerate. Within the framework of the ΛCDM model, which stands as the accepted paradigm of modern cosmology, this constant was presumed to remain unchanged over time. This assumption was grounded in several reasons. The ΛCDM model hinges on the belief that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic on large scales, meaning its properties are uniform in all directions and locations on average. This hypothesis underpins modern cosmology, suggesting that when observed over vast scales, the universe exhibits a uniform distribution of matter and energy, including dark energy. Thus, it seemed logical to assume that dark energy, like ordinary and dark matter, was evenly distributed throughout the cosmos. 'Japan Traps the Impossible': Scientists Develop Breakthrough Method to Extract Ammonia From Air and Water With Unmatched Precision Moreover, at the time of the ΛCDM model's formulation, scientists lacked a theoretical mechanism to explain any potential variability in dark energy over time or space. In the absence of such a mechanism, it was reasonable to consider dark energy as a constant, acting as a fundamental property of the universe responsible for its accelerating expansion. An Evolving Phenomenon? However, recent discoveries by researchers from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) suggest an entirely different possibility: dark energy might actually be evolving over time. The study, leveraging data from the 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam) mounted on the 4-meter Víctor M. Blanco Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, has mapped a portion of the universe covering nearly one-eighth of the sky over a span of six years. Various observational techniques were employed, including supernovae, galaxy clusters, and weak gravitational lensing. This Prehistoric Armored Fish From 465 Million Years Ago Could Be the Key to Understanding Why Our Teeth Still Hurt Initial analyses revealed notable anomalies. One of the primary findings is that the scale of baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO), which describe the distribution of galaxies in the universe, appears smaller than predicted by the ΛCDM model. In simpler terms, the measured scale of these oscillations was 4% smaller than the standard cosmological model's predictions. If confirmed, this discrepancy could profoundly impact our understanding of the universe's expansion. Supernovae and Cosmic Distances: Shedding Additional Light In addition to the BAO data, another critical measure emerged from the study of Type Ia supernovae. These supernovae serve as 'standard candles' due to their known intrinsic brightness, allowing scientists to calculate their distances with remarkable precision. The DES findings, combined with supernova data, bolstered the idea that dark energy might be dynamic and not an immutable cosmological constant. This Stunning Scientific Breakthrough Just Tripled the Birth Rate of One of the World's Most Endangered Parrot Species The Dark Energy Survey recently released an extensive dataset on Type Ia supernovae, enabling highly precise measurements of cosmic distances. These new discoveries confirm the anomalies observed in the baryonic acoustic oscillations, adding weight to the possibility of evolving dark energy. Profound Implications for Cosmology If the DES findings are validated, they would signify a significant reconfiguration of our understanding of the universe. The cosmological constant, long considered a fundamental parameter in cosmology, might need to be replaced by a more complex view. Juan Mena-Fernández from the Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology in Grenoble speaks of physics beyond the standard model. He suggests that if these new data are corroborated, it could pave the way for a scientific revolution, challenging long-established ideas. While the current DES results are not yet definitive, researchers anticipate further analyses. Additional data from probes like galaxy clusters and weak gravitational lensing effects should offer complementary insights into the nature of dark energy. For the scientific community, these discoveries present an opportunity to explore new theoretical avenues and consider more flexible cosmological models capable of explaining the observed anomalies. The upcoming months will be crucial in validating this new interpretation of dark energy and potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. As we stand on the brink of potentially redefining our cosmic knowledge, one must wonder: What other mysteries might the universe hold, waiting to be unraveled by future explorations? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Universe will die "much sooner than expected," researchers say
Could dark energy cause the universe to collapse? The universe is poised to die much faster than previously thought, according to new research by Dutch scientists. But there's no great need to panic. We still have 10 to the power of 78 years before it happens — that's a one with 78 zeroes. However, that is a major revision from the previous estimate of 10 to the power of 1,100 years, notes the research paper from Radboud University, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. "The final end of the universe is coming much sooner than expected but fortunately it still takes a very long time," said lead author Heino Falcke. A trio of scientists at Radboud set out to calculate when the most "durable" celestial bodies — white dwarf stars — would eventually die out. They based their calculations on Hawking radiation, named after celebrated British physicist Stephen Hawking. Hawking postulated in the mid-1970s that black holes leak radiation, slowly dissolving like aspirin in a glass of water -- giving them a finite lifetime. The Radboud scientists extended this to other objects in the universe, calculating that the "evaporation time" depends on density. This enabled them to calculate the theoretical dissolution of the longest-lasting body, the white dwarf. "By asking these kinds of questions and looking at extreme cases, we want to better understand the theory, and perhaps one day, we can unravel the mystery of Hawking radiation," said co-author Walter van Suijlekom. Humankind needn't worry too much about the end of the universe. Unless we escape planet Earth, we'll be long gone. Scientists think that our sun will be too hot for life in about a billion years, boiling our oceans. In about eight billion years, our star will eventually expand towards the Earth, finally gobbling up our by-then barren and lifeless planet and condemning it to a fiery death. Shedding light on dark energy The research comes just weeks after scientists released new findings that may also shed light on the fate of the universe. Researchers in March said new data shows dark energy — a mysterious force that makes up nearly 70% of the universe — may actually be weakening. If dark energy is constant, an idea first introduced by Albert Einstein in his theory of relativity, scientists say our universe may continue to expand forever, growing ever colder, lonelier and still. If dark energy ebbs with time, the universe could one day stop expanding and then eventually collapse on itself in what's called the "Big Crunch." "Now, there is the possibility that everything comes to an end," said cosmologist and study collaborator Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki of the University of Texas at Dallas. "Would we consider that a good or bad thing? I don't know." This image provided by NSF's NOIRLab shows the trails of stars above Kitt Peak National Observatory, where a telescope is mapping the universe to study a mysterious force called dark energy. NSF's NoirLab via AP Other efforts around the globe have an eye on dark energy and aim to release their own data in the coming years, including the European Space Agency's Euclid mission and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. Launched in 2023, the ESA's $1.5 billion Euclid space telescope is equipped with a near-perfect 3-feet 11-inch-wide primary mirror and two instruments: a 600 megapixel visible light camera and a 64-megapixel infrared imaging spectrometer. The telescope's field of view is roughly twice the size of the full moon.
Al Arabiya
13-05-2025
- Science
- Al Arabiya
Universe dying much faster than thought, says new research
The universe is poised to die much faster than previously thought, according to new research by Dutch scientists. But there's no great need to panic. We still have 10 to the power of 78 years before it happens -- that's a one with 78 zeroes. However, that is a major revision from the previous estimate of 10 to the power of 1,100 years, notes the research paper from Radboud University, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. 'The final end of the universe is coming much sooner than expected but fortunately it still takes a very long time,' said lead author Heino Falcke. A trio of scientists at Radboud set out to calculate when the most 'durable' celestial bodies -- white dwarf stars -- would eventually die out. They based their calculations on Hawking radiation, named after celebrated British physicist Stephen Hawking. Hawking postulated in the mid-1970s that black holes leak radiation, slowly dissolving like aspirin in a glass of water -- giving them a finite lifetime. The Radboud scientists extended this to other objects in the universe, calculating that the 'evaporation time' depends on density. This enabled them to calculate the theoretical dissolution of the longest-lasting body, the white dwarf. 'By asking these kinds of questions and looking at extreme cases, we want to better understand the theory, and perhaps one day, we can unravel the mystery of Hawking radiation,' said co-author Walter van Suijlekom. Humankind needn't worry too much about the end of the universe. Unless we escape planet Earth, we'll be long gone. Scientists think that our Sun will be too hot for life in about a billion years, boiling our oceans. In about eight billion years, our star will eventually expand towards the Earth, finally gobbling up our by-then barren and lifeless planet and condemning it to a fiery death.
