Cosmic Clash: Two Mighty Forces Battle at the Universe's Edge
pine Webmaster of Pineapple
2009/01/09 15:43
508 topics published
Update Date: 2009/01/08 19:22 Entertainment Center / Comprehensive Report
In the farthest reaches of the universe, two extraordinarily powerful forces are engaged in a fierce battle, with the potential to destroy the universe itself. These opposing forces, known as dark matter and dark energy, possess the capability to tear the universe apart.
Although scientists once theorized the "Big Crunch," where the universe would contract back to its original size like a deflating balloon, the discovery of dark matter and dark energy has led to this theory falling out of favor.
Some astronomers now believe that if dark matter counteracts dark energy, then as the universe expands, stars will gradually dim, exhaust their fuel, and cause the universe to become cold and dark. Others hypothesize that dark energy is causing the universe to expand at an ever-increasing rate, and that this dark energy, stronger than gravity, could rip everything apart into fundamental particles.
Although the universe may not face destruction for another 50 billion years, significant scientific advancements will continue to alter our understanding of how the universe was born and how it will die.
National Geographic Channel's "Space Month" series—"The Death of the Universe," airing on Sunday, January 11th, at 9 PM.
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