Study Challenges Dark Energy Theory, Suggests Universe’s Expansion May Be Slowing

Study Challenges Dark Energy Theory, Suggests Universe’s Expansion May Be Slowing
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A new astronomical study has cast doubt on one of modern cosmology’s most widely accepted theories — that the universe’s expansion is accelerating due to dark energy.

The research, led by Prof. Young-Wook Lee of Yonsei University, South Korea, suggests that cosmic expansion may, in fact, be slowing down, raising the possibility that the universe could one day collapse in a “big crunch.”

The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and reported by The Guardian, proposes that dark energy — the mysterious force believed to drive acceleration — is weakening over time. “Our study shows that the universe has already entered a phase of decelerated expansion,” Lee said, calling it a potential “paradigm shift” in cosmology.

Using age estimates of 300 supernova-hosting galaxies, the team found that earlier assumptions about uniform supernova brightness may have skewed previous conclusions. Correcting for these variations indicates a slower rate of expansion.

The findings echo earlier results from the DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) consortium, suggesting growing scientific debate over dark energy’s nature. While many astronomers remain skeptical, experts say the study raises important questions about the universe’s ultimate fate — and the validity of the Nobel-winning theory of cosmic acceleration.