Hiromi Suenaga Cody Tamura Period 1. It affects the Universe’s expansion Other than that it is a...
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Transcript of Hiromi Suenaga Cody Tamura Period 1. It affects the Universe’s expansion Other than that it is a...
What is Dark Energy?
It affects the Universe’s expansion Other than that it is a total mystery Roughly 70 % of the universe is dark
energy
What is Dark Energy?
It could be a property of space Albert Einstein was the first person
to realize empty space is not really empty
Einstein’s Gravity Theory
One of his Gravity Theories that uses a cosmological constant makes a prediction that “empty space” can possess its own energy
Einstein Continued
As more space comes into existence, more dark energy would appear
This would accelerate the expansion of the Universe
No one really understands why the cosmological constant is there
Other Theories
Another theory utilizes the quantum theory of matter
Empty space is comprised of “virtual” particles that form and disappear continuously
Unfortunately, physicists tried to calculate the energy empty space would have, but was the solution was 10^120 times too large
Other Theories
Another theory is that dark energy could be a new kind of dynamical energy fluid or field
Another theory is that Einstein’s theory is incorrect
Dark energy would not only affect the expansion of the Universe, but would also affect normal matter in galaxies as well.
The Big Crunch and Chill
Before the dark energy was first observed, there were two models of the fate of the Universe
The Big Crunch
The Big Crunch theorizes that the Universe’s expansion would slow down until it finally begins to retract
Essentially, it would be the opposite of the Big Bang
The Big Chill
The Big Chill theorizes that the Universe would expand at a decelerating rate
Galaxies would drift extremely far apart from each other
All stars would die out and the Universe would be vast, cold, and dark
The Big Rip
With dark energy, the Universe’s expansion would accelerate until clusters of galaxies would tear apart
Galaxies would tear apart, until molecules and atoms would rip apart
It would be a more violent expansion than the Big Bang
The Big Rip
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has found evidence that the Big Rip is not in the Universe’s future
Observations have shown an increase in mass in galaxy clusters
An increase in mass or growth would be difficult with dark energy
Observations strengthen the idea that dark energy is the cosmological constant in Einstein’s theory
Video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaImVFRpOR8
Works Cited
Atkinson, Nancy. "No “Big Rip” in Our Future: Chandra Provides Insights Into Dark Energy." Universe Today. 16 Dec. 2008. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.universetoday.com/22382/no-big-rip-in-our-future-chandra-provides-insights-into-dark-energy/>.
"Dark Energy." Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.lsst.org/lsst/public/dark_energy>.
"Dark Energy, Dark Matter." NASA Science. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-is-dark-energy/>.
"HubbleSite - Dark Energy - Fate of the Universe." HubbleSite - Out of the Ordinary...out of This World. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/dark_energy/de-fate_of_the_universe.php>.
Moskowitz, Clara. "What Is Dark Energy? | Space.com." Space, NASA Information & News | Outer Space Flight Videos & Pictures | Astronomy, Solar System Images | Space.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.space.com/6619-dark-energy.html>.