Will the universe end
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Will the Universe End?
The question of whether the universe will end has intrigued scientists and philosophers for centuries. Recent research provides several theories and mechanisms that predict various possible endings for the universe. This article synthesizes the latest findings on this profound topic.
Sequestration of Vacuum Energy and Universe Collapse
One proposed mechanism for the end of the universe involves the sequestration of vacuum energy. This theory suggests that the universe will eventually collapse due to a scalar field with a linear potential that becomes negative, providing the necessary negative energy density to halt expansion and trigger collapse. This mechanism is designed to allow the universe to expand until the current Hubble time, approximately 10 billion years, before collapsing1.
The Return of a Static Universe
Another theory posits that as the universe continues to expand, all evidence of the Hubble expansion will eventually disappear. This would result in a static universe where future observers would be unable to determine the true nature of the universe, including the existence of vacuum energy, the cosmic microwave background (CMB), and the primordial origin of light elements. This epoch would mark the end of cosmology as we know it, returning the universe to a static state3.
Big Smash and Superquintessence
The concept of a "big smash" singularity is another potential end scenario. This theory involves dark energy with an effective equation of state parameter less than -1, leading to a finite future where the universe ends in a big smash. This scenario is explored within the context of superquintessence, where a single nonminimally coupled scalar field drives the universe towards this catastrophic end4.
Conformal Boundary and Perturbations
The concordance model of cosmology predicts that the universe will end in a finite amount of conformal time at a future conformal boundary. However, some models suggest that the background variables and perturbations could continue beyond this boundary, implying that the "end" of the universe might not be the end of physical development. These models propose a palindromic universe mirrored in time or a reflecting boundary condition, which could have observable consequences today, such as a quantized power spectrum in the CMB5.
Long-Term Fate and Evolution of Astrophysical Objects
On a much longer timescale, the universe's fate involves the gradual evolution and eventual demise of astrophysical objects. Over trillions of years, star formation will cease as interstellar gas is exhausted, and galaxies will deplete their stars. Stellar remnants like white dwarfs and neutron stars will eventually decay, and black holes will lose mass through Hawking radiation. This long-term evolution suggests a universe that becomes increasingly cold and dark, dominated by the remnants of its former stellar glory6.
Speculative Theories: The Big Burst
Among the more speculative theories is the "Big Burst," which envisions a massive energy release by neutrinos into the fabric of space, causing a dramatic drop-off in tension. This would result in the universe becoming like a floppy 3-D tennis net, with fundamental forces and even time itself ceasing to exist as we know them9.
Conclusion
The end of the universe remains a topic of intense research and speculation. From the collapse due to vacuum energy sequestration to the return of a static universe, the big smash, and the long-term fate of astrophysical objects, each theory provides a unique perspective on how the cosmos might meet its ultimate fate. While some scenarios are grounded in current cosmological models, others remain highly speculative, reflecting the profound uncertainty and complexity of predicting the universe's end.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Sequestration of vacuum energy and the end of the universe.
The collapse of the universe is imminent and preceded by the current stage of cosmic acceleration, with a single, technically natural choice for the slope ensuring the collapse is imminent.
The End of the Universe
The universe may end in a collapse, expanding forever, or a new universe being created.
The return of a static universe and the end of cosmology
The end of cosmology and the return of a static universe will occur when all evidence of the Hubble expansion disappears, leading to the return of a static universe and the end of cosmology.
Possible end of the universe in a finite future from dark energy with w-1
Big smash singularities may occur in the future from dark energy with w-1, potentially leading to a finite universe end.
Perturbations and the future conformal boundary
The end of the universe may not necessarily be the end of their physical development, and these models may have observable consequences today, such as quantized power spectrum features in the cosmic microwave background.
A dying universe: the long-term fate and evolutionof astrophysical objects
The long-term fate of the universe involves star formation, galaxy destruction, and the conversion of halo dark matter into radiative energy through stellar remnants.
Highly CitedEND OF THE UNIVERSE
All things must pass. But how, why and when all the stuff people take for granted will cease to be and what comes after are the questions. From the personal to the cosmic and the avoidable to the inevitable, 13 endings that will transform the world as people know it are examined. Here, Cossins focuses on the end of the universe
The Big Burst
The Big Burst scenario is a possible end of the universe, and it could lead to the collapse of the universe as we know it, with no energy, gravity, light, heat, or even time.
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