Well , thank good for that . A newfangled discipline has concluded that the end of the universe grant to one theory is n’t due for 2.8 billion years – and it could last up to , well , infinity .
Okay , okay , that probably sounds a morsel ridiculous . But there is some genuine science behind this . In a study , useable onarXiv , researchers were investigating the presuppose “ Big Rip ” scenario , in which the existence expands so much that space - time itself is torn apart . The study was picked up by Jacob Aron forNew Scientist .
You might be aware that the creation is expanding at an accelerating charge per unit . We know this thanks to observations ofsupernovae . The Big Rip theory isone of several theoriesfor the remainder of the universe , which suggest that at some point the expanding upon will increase so much that all space in the population will essentially become countless . Thus , all matter will be torn apart , and everything as we know it will cease to live .
Whether the Big Rip happens or not depends on the amount of a mysterious force calleddark energyin the universe . If the amount is increase , the Big Rip could happen . If not , then another finale – such as a Big Crunch , sort of a reverse Big Bang , or a continual expansion towards a Heat Death scenario – is more probable to occur .
So the researchers decided to crop out , if the Big Rip theory is true , when it might take blank space . They studied known expansion rates of galaxy and supernovae , in addition to datum on dark energy , and came up with their name of at least 1.2 clip the old age of the universe , or 2.8 billion age from now . Previous estimation had suggest a terminus ad quem of 22 billion years .
“ We ’re safe , ” Centennial State - source Diego Sáez - Gómez told New Scientist . Of course , we ’ll also have to contend with the oddment of the Sun in 5 billion years , and the merging of the Milky Way and our neighbor Andromeda in 4 billion year .
Their upper terminal point for the Big Rip scenario is “ infinity , ” which would mean the rip never occur , and instead the universe would die under the Heat Death scenario , where everything becomes so spread out that no new stars or other bodies can take form .
For now though , you’re able to repose easy that Earth is n’t going to be destruct by the universe tear itself asunder any time shortly . We ’ll just have to keep an heart out for other world - end scenario , like killer asteroid , instead .
[ H / T : New Scientist ]
