Dark Energy: Dark energy is the mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of the universe, accounting for roughly 68% of its total energy. Discovered in 1998 through observations of distant supernovae, it acts as a repulsive counterweight to gravity on cosmic scales. The leading explanation is the cosmological constant—a vacuum energy inherent to space itself—but theoretical predictions of its strength exceed observations by up to 120 orders of magnitude, a glaring discrepancy. Alternatives include dynamic fields (quintessence) or flaws in general relativity at large scales. Understanding dark energy is crucial to predicting the universe’s ultimate fate: endless expansion, a “Big Rip,” or something unforeseen. It represents one of the deepest gaps between quantum mechanics and gravity, and resolving it may require a new theory of spacetime itself.
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