Dark energy is weakening and the universe could (eventually) collapse, study says

Npr - Mar 20th, 2025

An international group of over 900 researchers, collaborating on the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), has presented new findings indicating that dark energy, the mysterious force believed to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe, is weakening. This development, discussed at the American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit, suggests a potential future where the universe could collapse on itself in a 'big crunch.' The study analyzed three years of data from 15 million galaxies and quasars, revealing that dark energy is not a constant but is changing over time. Mustapha Ishak, co-chair of DESI, emphasizes the need for scientists to rethink their cosmological models in light of these findings.

This research challenges the long-standing belief that the universe will expand indefinitely, opening new avenues for understanding the origins and properties of dark energy. Donghui Jeong, an astronomer and astrophysics professor at Penn State University, notes the progress made in understanding dark energy but stresses that more data is needed to confirm these findings. If dark energy continues to weaken, matter could eventually dominate, leading to a potential collapse of the universe. While this scenario is not expected to occur for at least another 20 billion years, the findings suggest significant implications for the future of cosmological studies and our understanding of the universe's fate.

Dark Energy Desi Mustapha Ishak Donghui Jeong American Physical Society Universe Expansion Big Crunch Cosmology

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a compelling overview of recent findings suggesting that dark energy may be weakening, a claim with significant implications for our understanding of the universe. It draws on credible sources and presents the information in a clear, engaging manner. However, the article could benefit from greater balance by including more diverse perspectives and a deeper exploration of the scientific debate surrounding these findings.

While the article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, its impact is somewhat limited by the preliminary nature of the research. Enhancing transparency by detailing the research methodology and acknowledging the provisional status of the findings would improve the article's accuracy and credibility.

Overall, the article is well-written and informative, effectively engaging readers with a fascinating scientific discovery. However, it could enhance its quality by incorporating more diverse viewpoints, providing additional context, and exploring the broader implications of the research.

Accuracy

The article presents a claim that dark energy, traditionally considered a cosmological constant, may be weakening over time. This is a significant assertion, as it challenges established cosmological models. The article accurately attributes this claim to the findings presented by the DESI collaboration, involving over 900 researchers. However, the narrative could benefit from more explicit mention of the provisional nature of these findings, as the results have not yet reached the five-sigma confidence level typically required for scientific consensus.

The article cites Mustapha Ishak, co-chair of DESI, who suggests that dark energy was very strong at the universe's inception but has weakened over time. This aligns with the data analysis from DESI, which is based on observations of 15 million galaxies and quasars. While the article correctly reports these details, it lacks a direct comparison with other studies or expert opinions that might challenge or support these findings, which would enhance its factual robustness.

The potential consequence of a "big crunch" due to weakening dark energy is presented as a theoretical possibility, which is accurate. However, the article should emphasize the speculative nature of this outcome, given the current state of research. The inclusion of Donghui Jeong's perspective provides some balance, as he cautions against drawing definitive conclusions from the current data. Overall, the article is largely accurate but would benefit from more nuanced presentation of the scientific uncertainty surrounding the findings.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the findings of the DESI collaboration, providing a detailed account of their research and the implications of their findings. While this offers a comprehensive look at one perspective, it does not adequately explore alternative viewpoints or criticisms from other experts in the field.

The inclusion of Donghui Jeong's comments adds a degree of balance by highlighting the preliminary nature of the findings and the need for further scrutiny. However, the article could improve its balance by including more voices from the scientific community, particularly those who might offer contrasting interpretations or skepticism about the weakening of dark energy.

Overall, the article leans towards presenting a single narrative without sufficiently exploring the broader scientific debate or the potential implications of these findings in the context of existing cosmological theories.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It begins with the main claim about dark energy weakening and then provides supporting details from the DESI research, expert quotes, and potential implications.

The language is accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable to a general audience. The use of direct quotes helps to convey the scientists' perspectives clearly. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more background on dark energy and its role in the universe's expansion for readers unfamiliar with the topic.

Overall, the article is well-written and effectively communicates the key points, though it could enhance clarity by offering more foundational context for readers less versed in cosmology.

Source quality

The article draws on credible sources, including the DESI collaboration and interviews with reputable scientists like Mustapha Ishak and Donghui Jeong. These sources are authoritative in the field of astrophysics and cosmology, which adds significant weight to the article's claims.

The use of direct quotes from these experts enhances the reliability of the information presented. However, the article could benefit from a wider range of sources, such as peer-reviewed studies or statements from other prominent cosmologists, to provide a more comprehensive view of the topic.

Overall, the source quality is strong, but the inclusion of additional expert opinions and references to published research would further bolster the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency by mentioning the DESI project's scope and the number of researchers involved. It also notes the presentation of findings at a reputable scientific summit, which adds context to the research's credibility.

However, the article could improve its transparency by explaining the methodology used in the research more explicitly. Details about the instruments and data analysis techniques would help readers understand the basis of the claims. Additionally, discussing the limitations of the study and the provisional nature of the findings would offer a more transparent view of the scientific process.

Overall, while the article does a good job of outlining the study's context and significance, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of the research methods and limitations.