Nicole Verdon Villanueva XI- St.

Ambrose

“ The Fate of the Universe”

Source: NASA
The WMAP satellite measures the basic parameters of the Big Bang theory including
the fate of the universe. The results suggest the geometry of the universe is flat and
will expand forever. Further study of the dark energy with future experiments and
space missions is needed to understand its nature and effect on the rate of future
expanison.
The evolution of the universe is determined by a struggle between the momentum
of expansion and the pull (or push!) of gravity. The current rate of expansion is
measured by the Hubble Constant, while the strength of gravity depends on the
density and pressure of the matter in the universe. If the pressure of the matter is
low, as is the case with most forms of matter we know of, then the fate of the
universe is governed by the density.

If the density of the universe is less than the critical density, then the universe will
expand forever, like the green or blue curves in the graph above. Gravity might slow
the expansion rate down over time, but for densities below the critical density, there
isn’t enough gravitational pull from the material to ever stop or reverse the outward
expansion. This is also known as the “Big Chill” or “Big Freeze” because the
universe will slowly cool as it expands until eventually it is unable to sustain any life.

If the density of the universe is greater than the critical density, then gravity will
eventually win and the universe will collapse back on itself, the so called “Big
Crunch”, like the graph's orange curve. In this universe, there is sufficient mass in
the universe to slow the expansion to a stop, and then eventually reverse it.

Recent observations of distant supernova have suggested that the expansion of the
universe is actually accelerating or speeding up, like the graph's red curve, which
implies the existence of a form of matter with a strong negative pressure, such as
the cosmological constant. This strange form of matter is also sometimes referred to
as the “dark energy”. Unlike gravity which works to slow the expansion down, dark
energy works to speed the expansion up. If dark energy in fact plays a significant
role in the evolution of the universe, then in all likelihood the universe will continue to
expand forever.

There is a growing consensus among cosmologists that the total density of matter is
equal to the critical density, so that the universe is spatially flat. Approximately 24%
of this is in the form of a low pressure matter, most of which is thought to be “non-
baryonic” dark matter, while the remaining 71% is thought to be in the form of a
negative pressure “dark energy”, like the cosmological constant. If this is true, then
dark energy is the major driving force behind the fate of the universe and it will
expand forever exponentially.
According to Universe Today:
What is the ultimate fate of our universe? A Big Crunch? A Big Freeze? A Big Rip?
or a Big Bounce? Measurements made by WMAP or the Wilkinson Microwave
Anisotropy Probe favor a Big Freeze. But until a deeper understanding of dark
energy is established, the other three still cannot be totally ignored.

Ever since scientists proved the Big Bang to be the most plausible cosmological
theory, and since it only focused more on how it might have all began, their attention
started to shift to how the Universe would end. Thus, all 4 theories mentioned above
(Big Crunch, Big Freeze, etc.) are actually offshoots of the Big Bang.

The Big Crunch predicts that, after having expanded to its maximum size, the
Universe will finally collapse into itself to form the greatest black hole ever.

On the opposite side of the coin, the Big Freeze foretells of a universe that will
continue to stretch forever, distributing heat evenly in the process until none is left to
be usable enough. Hence, it is also known as the Heat Death.

A more dramatic version of the Big Freeze is the Big Rip. In this scenario, the
Universe’s rate of expansion will increase substantially so that everything in it, down
to the smallest atom, will be ripped apart.

In a cyclic or oscillatory model of the Universe, there will be no end … for matter and
energy, that is. But for us and the Universe that we know of, there will definitely be a
conclusion. In an oscillatory model, the Big Bang and Big Crunch form a pair known
as the Big Bounce. Essentially, such a universe would simply expand and contract
(or bounce) forever.

For astronomers to determine what the ultimate fate of the Universe should be, they
would need to know certain information. Its density is supposedly one of the most
telling.

You see, if its density is found to be less than the critical density, then only a Big
Freeze or a Big Rip would be possible. On the other hand, if it is greater than the
said critical value, then a Big Crunch or Big Bounce would most likely ensue.

The most accurate measurements on the cosmic microwave background radiation

(CMBR), which is also the most persuasive evidence of the Big Bang, shows a
universe having a density virtually equal to the critical density. The measurements
also exhibit the characteristics of a flat universe. Right now, it looks like all gathered
data indicate that a Big Crunch or a Big Bounce is highly unlikely to occur.

To render finality to these findings however, scientists will need to know the exact
behavior of dark energy. Is its strength increasing? Is it diminishing? Is it constant?
Only by answering these will they know the ultimate fate of the Universe.
 We’ve got a few articles that touch on the fate the universe here in Universe Today.
Here are two of them:

 No “Big Rip” in our Future: Chandra Provides Insights Into Dark Energy
 End of the Universe

NASA also has some more:

 The Life and Death of Stars

 What is the Ultimate Fate of the Universe

Tired eyes? Let your ears help you learn for a change. Here are some episodes from
Astronomy Cast that just might suit your taste:

 The End of the Universe Part 1: The End of the Solar System
 The End of the Universe Part 2: The End of Everything

Sources: NASA, Hubblesite