SURABAYA (Lentera) – Since the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, humanity has been captivated by the universe’s evolution adn ultimate fate. Despite ongoing research, the mechanism that will bring about the universe’s end remains a profound mystery.
A groundbreaking recent study suggests a startling possibility: the universe could meet its end in approximately 33 billion years, a timeline considerably shorter than previous estimates.
The key to this revised prediction lies in a mysterious cosmic component known as dark energy. This hypothetical substance is believed to be the driving force behind the universe’s accelerating expansion.though, its nature holds the potential to dramatically alter the universe’s future.
if dark energy remains constant, as currently theorized, the universe will continue to expand indefinitely, eventually cooling down into a state of “heat death.” While this scenario implies an incredibly long lifespan, the universe would ultimately fade into an unchanging, cold expanse.
But what if the universe’s expansion isn’t perpetual? What if it reverses, leading to a catastrophic collapse? This scenario, known as the big Crunch, envisions the entire universe contracting and reuniting, mirroring its initial state.
the concept of a Big Crunch is not new, but many scientists have considered it improbable. Early models suggested a gradual slowing of expansion before a reversal. however, our current understanding, which includes the accelerating affect of dark energy acting as a “cosmological constant,” seemed to rule this out. The more space expands, the more dark energy it contains, perpetuating the acceleration.
Despite the prevailing theory of constant dark energy, emerging evidence hints that its properties might change over time. if this is the case, the universe’s ultimate destiny could diverge significantly from our current expectations.
According to a recent study published on Arxiv (and awaiting peer review), new models propose that dark energy comprises two components: one behaving like a cosmological constant, and another derived from a hypothetical particle called an axion, also thoght to be a component of dark matter.
Intriguingly, this model posits a negative cosmological constant. This means that despite the universe’s current rapid expansion, its trajectory could eventually reverse, leading to a collapse.
If this model proves accurate, the universe could experience a Big Crunch within 33.3 billion years. While this is still an immense timescale, it represents a meaningful shift in our understanding.
Though, the Big Crunch is not the only potential end-of-universe scenario. Other possibilities include the “Big Rip,” where dark energy’s overwhelming force tears spacetime itself apart, and the “Big Bounce,” which suggests an endless cycle of expansion and contraction. The most extreme possibility is “false vacuum decay,” a quantum phenomenon that could obliterate the universe without warning.
Co-Editor: Nei-dya
