Universe's fate recalculated: New study shortens cosmic timeline
The latest research by Dutch scientists indicates that the universe may end its existence much sooner than previously thought. Although we still have a future that researchers express as 10 to the power of 78 years, this represents a significant change compared to earlier estimates.
What you need to know
- New research from Radboud University suggests that the universe may end its existence earlier than anticipated. According to the new calculations, all stars will extinguish in one quinvigintillion years. That's a 1 followed by seventy-eight zeros.
- Scientists based their calculations on Hawking radiation, which suggests that black holes and other cosmic objects have a finite lifespan.
- The Sun will become too hot for life on Earth in about a billion years, and in eight billion years, it will engulf our planet.
What are the new findings of the scientists?
A team of scientists from Radboud University in the Netherlands, led by Heino Falcke, has published research suggesting that the universe may end its existence much sooner than previously thought. According to their calculations, based on the theory of Hawking radiation, the universe will last for another 10 to the power of 78 years, which is one quinvigintillion years (in numerical form, that's a 1 followed by 78 zeros).
This is a substantial change compared to earlier estimates. Previous predictions stated that the universe could continue to exist for another 10 to the power of 1100 years (a 1 followed by 1100 zeros).
What does this mean for the future of Earth?
Although the end of the universe is distant, scientists remind us that life on Earth will end much sooner. Our Sun will become too hot for life on Earth in about a billion years, causing the oceans to evaporate. Ultimately, in eight billion years, the Sun will expand and engulf our planet.
What is the theory of Hawking radiation?
This research is based on the theory of Hawking radiation, which suggests that black holes emit radiation, leading to their gradual disappearance. Scientists from Radboud University have extended this theory to other cosmic objects, such as white dwarfs, enabling them to calculate the theoretical time of their decay. Walter van Suijlekom, a co-author of the research, emphasises that such an approach might help in better understanding this theory and possibly unravel its mysteries in the future.
