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Charlie Wood@Quanta Magazine
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Recent data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) suggests that dark energy, the mysterious force driving the accelerating expansion of the universe, may be weakening over time. This challenges the standard model of cosmology, which assumes dark energy has a constant density and pressure. Researchers, including Seshadri Nadathur from the DESI collaboration, have analyzed significantly more data than in previous studies, strengthening the conclusion that the engine driving cosmic expansion might be sputtering.
The findings are also supported by evidence from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), which also observed a vast expanse of the cosmos and reported indications of varying dark energy. Miguel Zumalacárregui notes that Euclid's capabilities could better determine the universe's expansion rate through gravitational-wave observations. If confirmed, this would rewrite our understanding of the universe's fate, potentially leading to alternative scenarios beyond the current model of endless expansion and eventual cosmic emptiness.
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@science.nasa.gov
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NASA's Parker Solar Probe achieved a historic milestone on December 24th, making its closest ever approach to the Sun. The spacecraft, traveling at a record-breaking 430,000 miles per hour (692,000 kilometers per hour), flew within just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the Sun's surface. This close encounter allowed the probe to enter the Sun's corona, offering unprecedented opportunities to collect scientific measurements and deepen our understanding of the Sun's behavior. The mission represents a significant step forward in humanity's exploration of our star, providing insights into solar wind origins and heating processes.
The Parker Solar Probe successfully transmitted a beacon tone back to Earth on December 26th, signaling that it was in good health and operating normally. NASA expects to receive more detailed telemetry data regarding the spacecraft's status on January 1st. Launched in 2018, the probe is equipped with a heat shield designed to withstand extreme temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,371 degrees Celsius). Scientists hope the data collected will help them understand why the Sun's corona is hundreds of times hotter than its surface, and what drives the supersonic stream of charged particles known as solar wind.
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