Scientists at Durham University and Princeton’s Center for Theoretical Science warn that dark energy, a mysterious force thought to be constant, might actually be weakening. This could lead to the Big Crunch, where the universe collapses back in on itself, triggering catastrophic collisions and a cosmic inferno.
According to new data from the DESI telescope, which mapped 15 million galaxies, dark energy may not expand forever but instead shrink into a compact core. If it loses its grip, gravity could pull galaxies together, causing galaxies to collide and eventually crushing all matter into a dense core.
Researchers say that if the collapse begins, temperatures will rise to thousands of degrees, turning the universe into an all-consuming fireball. The theory challenges Einstein’s idea that dark energy is constant and suggests it may evolve over time.
The potential collapse could happen remarkably quickly, but scientists are unsure exactly when it might occur. The findings also suggest that the Standard Model of Cosmology may need to be revised, as dark energy behaves unpredictably.
The Big Crunch theory raises concerns that the cosmic collapse may have already begun on a scale beyond our current observations. If correct, this would mark a significant shift in our understanding of the universe’s fate.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/visualstories/news/everything-will-be-destroyed-universe-could-shrink-into-a-superhot-fireball-220027-26-03-2025