Physicists say universe filled with mystery substance called "quintessence"

Fifth Element

A team of cosmologists claim they have found evidence that the expansion of the universe is caused by "quintessence," a form of dark energy.

Physicists Say Universe Filled With Mystery Substance Called “Quintessence”

"We’re back to a situation where we have zero idea about how the Universe is going to end."

"If they moved like black holes, staying close to visible matter, galaxies like our own Milky Way would have been disrupted."

Physicists: Fake black holes could be pulling the universe apart

Pushing Apart

New research suggests that GEODEs, or imitation black holes full of dark energy, could be driving the universe's ongoing expansion.

Physicists: Fake Black Holes Could Be Pulling the Universe Apart

They'd look like black holes — but they're actually spinning blobs of dark energy that are remaking the cosmos.

Dimmer than the night sky, the galaxies were easy to overlook.

Dark energy researchers discovered nearly 21,000 new galaxies

Peekaboo

A team of astronomers probing the night sky for signs of dark energy discovered almost 21,000 new, extremely-dim galaxies.

Dark Energy Researchers Discover Nearly 21,000 New Galaxies

These unusual galaxies are even dimmer than the night sky.

"This result shows the power of galaxy surveys to pin down the amount of dark energy and how it evolved over the last billion years."

Scientists claim the universe is actually flat

2D Graphics

New research into the effects of dark energy suggests that our universe is flat rather than bubble-like. The finding may finally settle the Hubble constant.

Scientists Claim the Universe Is Actually Flat

"We're making really precise measurements now."

"It would be amazing if it was shown to be right."

New theory could solve universe’s biggest paradox

Massive Gravity

Massive gravity theory modifies Einstein’s theory of general relativity to explain the universe's accelerating rate of expansion.

New Theory Could Solve Universe’s Biggest Paradox

It could modify Einstein's theory of general relativity — and kill the need for dark energy altogether.

"Any indication that [dark energy] is not a constant would be revolutionary and spark intense theoretical work."

Scientists boot up new device to map the universe's dark energy

Dark Energy Conundrum

Last week, scientists achieved "first light" with the Mayall Telescope's Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. It could teach us about dark energy.

Scientists Boot Up New Device to Map the Universe’s Dark Energy

The instrument has the potential to "spark a revolution in theoretical physics."

Some black holes may actually be blobs of dark energy

Cosmic Lookalikes

New calculations of the universe's outward expansion only make sense if it turns out that some black holes are actually giant blobs of dark energy.

Some Black Holes May Actually Be Blobs of Dark Energy

Everything you thought you knew about black holes might be wrong.

Experiment to detect dark energy turns up nothing

Thank You, Next

A new experiment looking for dark energy came back with nothing, helping scientists narrow down future searches for the mysterious force.

Experiment to Detect Dark Energy Turns Up Nothing

Now scientists can rule out several explanations for how it works.

"Our research definitely does not mean that General Relativity is wrong, but it does show that it does not have to be the only way to explain gravity's role in the evolution of the universe."

New "Chameleon Theory" could explain dark energy, how galaxies formed

Alternative Explanations

Chameleon Theory provides an alternative explanation for galaxy formation and the universe's expansion from Einstein's General Relativity.

New “Chameleon Theory” Could Explain Dark Energy, How Galaxies Formed

Chameleon Theory provides a possible alternative to General Relativity.

The spaces between galaxies may be the best place to find dark energy.

Dark energy could be hiding in the "cosmic void" between galaxies

Cosmic Hunt

The universe is speckled with voids that are totally empty, except for the dark energy that's pushing galaxies apart. That's where scientists should look.

/ dark-energy