New research by Dutch scientists suggests that the universe is set to meet its demise sooner than previously believed. However, there is no immediate cause for alarm, as we still have 10 to the power of 78 years before this eventuality. This marks a significant departure from the previous estimate of 10 to the power of 1,100 years as indicated in a study from Radboud University, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. Lead author Heino Falcke expressed, “The final end of the universe is coming much sooner than expected but fortunately it still takes a very long time.”
The study focused on the lifespan of white dwarf stars, the most enduring celestial bodies, utilizing Hawking radiation theory proposed by Stephen Hawking in the 1970s. The scientists at Radboud extrapolated this theory to assess the dissolution of these stars, determining that the “evaporation time” is contingent on density. Co-author Walter van Suijlekom stated, “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.”
While the end of the universe may seem distant, the eventual fate of humankind on Earth is inevitable. Our sun will become too hot for life in a billion years, leading to the boiling of oceans. In about eight billion years, the sun’s expansion will consume Earth, rendering it barren and lifeless.
Recent research also suggests that dark energy, comprising nearly 70% of the universe, may be weakening. If dark energy remains constant, the universe will expand indefinitely. Conversely, if dark energy diminishes over time, the universe could collapse in a “Big Crunch.” Cosmologist Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki remarked, “Now, there is the possibility that everything comes to an end. Would we consider that a good or bad thing? I don’t know.”
Various scientific endeavors worldwide are investigating dark energy, such as the European Space Agency’s Euclid mission and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The ESA’s Euclid space telescope, launched in 2023, equipped with advanced instruments, aims to study dark energy and its implications on the universe’s fate.
Darren Criss has received two Tony nominations for the robot romance musical “Maybe Happy Ending.” Prabal Gurung delves into his personal journey in his latest memoir, “Walk Like a Girl.”
