Scientists Predict Swift End to the Universe, But Not Anytime Soon
New research from Radboud University in the Netherlands indicates that the universe may meet its end much sooner than previously thought, with an estimated lifespan of roughly \(10^{78}\) years—significantly shorter than the past estimate of \(10^{1100}\) years. Lead author Heino Falcke emphasized the importance of this finding, but reassured that a considerable amount of time remains before this eventuality.
The study focused on the "evaporation time" of white dwarf stars, the most resilient celestial objects. Researchers based their calculations on the phenomenon of Hawking radiation, a concept introduced by physicist Stephen Hawking in the 1970s. By extending this idea to other celestial bodies, the team aimed to gain insights into the fundamental physics governing the universe's fate.
In a related context, researchers also recently revealed that dark energy, which constitutes nearly 70% of the universe, may be weakening. This finding could influence theories regarding the long-term trajectory of the universe, including a potential "Big Crunch" scenario.
Despite these findings, cosmologists expect humanity will cease to exist well before the universe reaches its ultimate end.
Netherlands