Theory: dark energy may be weakening
The mysterious force, which is thought to power the expansion of the universe, may be weakening, changing scientists’ understanding and suggesting the universe could end in a reverse Big Bang
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument has captured 15 million galaxies and 11 billion years of history to create largest-ever 3D map of universe
Earth
Detail: filamentary network of galaxies
DESI maps position of distant objects to measure effect of dark energy

COSMOLOGY STANDARD MODEL
Big Bang: Explosive birth of universe 13.8 billion years ago
Composition of universe
Dark energy 70%
Dark matter 25%
Atomic matter 5%
Instead of slowing, expansion is speeding up due to unknown force – dark energy
Distance between galaxies increases
If dark energy is constant, galaxies will eventually be too far apart to see

DESI MEASUREMENTS
Cosmic acceleration – dark energy – appears to be 10% weaker than 4.1 billion years ago
Expansion still accelerating, but at lower rate

Big Crunch: If dark energy keeps decreasing – or becomes negative – universe could collapse in reverse Big Bang
Sources: DESI, Phys.org
Pictures: DESI
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