A new study using the Dark Energy Survey (DES) final datasets suggests potential inconsistencies in the standard cosmological model, known as ΛCDM. If confirmed, these findings could fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe.

DES was conducted using the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.

The ΛCDM (Lambda-CDM) model has been the foundation of modern cosmology for some time now, successfully describing large-scale structures in the universe. It proposes that 95% of the cosmos is composed of dark matter (25%) and dark energy (70%)—mysterious substances whose nature remains unknown. Only 5% of the universe consists of ordinary matter.

Dark energy, the mysterious force thought to be driving the ever-faster expansion of the universe, appears to be changing over time, according to new observations released Wednesday.

If dark energy is in fact weakening, it would likely mean that science’s understanding of how the universe works will need to be rewritten.

The new findings come from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which sits on a telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in the U.S. state of Arizona.

New insights from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope offer unprecedented images of the universe at 380,000 years old, revealing movements and polarization of cosmic light with exceptional clarity.

These findings not only enhance our understanding of cosmic microwave background radiation but also confirm the fundamental theories of cosmic structure and expansion, while setting new standards for observational cosmology.

Revolutionary Universe Imaging

Simulations of superfluid helium show it follows the same unusual entropy rule that black holes do.

Study suggests dark energy may have changed direction in cosmic history, offering a potential explanation for conflicting cosmological data.