Dark Energy

Astronomers have identified a bright supernova from over 10 billion years ago, its light gravitationally lensed into multiple images by a foreground galaxy. This unique observation allows simultaneous views of different stages of the explosion. The time delays between images could reveal details about the universe's expansion rate and dark energy.

February 16, 2026 Reported by AI

Fresh analysis of dark energy observations indicates the universe could collapse in a big crunch after expanding for another 11 billion years. Cornell physicist Henry Tye's model, based on data from major surveys, predicts a total lifespan of about 33 billion years for the cosmos. This challenges long-held views of endless expansion.