Most cultures have stories and myths detailing the end of days, from the eventual fate of humans to what will happen to our world and any other realms inhabited by their respective deities. These legends often promise the arrival of a reorganised existence after the cataclysm, a paradise.
But what does modern science have to say about the end of days or to put it in more scientific terms, the end of the Universe?
We know that Earth, if it's not destroyed by us or an errant asteroid first, will likely be incinerated when the Sun expands into a red giant. Luckily, that's not likely to happen for at least another five billion years.
As for the Universe as a whole, do we have any understanding of when and how it will come to an end?
We can look to modern cosmology for some intriguing possible answers. And with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, aka CERN, currently developing the Future Circular Collider (FCC) a gargantuan 'atom smasher' almost three times bigger than the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) we're one step closer to knowing which one is likely to be right.
FREEZE, CRUNCH OR RIP
In exploring the various theories, it all comes down to the balance between the expansion of the Universe and the pull of gravity. In one scenario, gravity may not be strong enough to stop the Universe from expanding, meaning it'll continue to do so forever.
As all the energy eventually becomes uniformly distributed, the Universe will become darker and colder. Even black holes will evaporate as the Universe becomes a near-vacuum of subatomic particles and photons, an endless and timeless void where nothing ever happens. This is called the 'Big Freeze' (or, conversely, 'Heat Death').
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av BBC Science Focus.
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Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av BBC Science Focus.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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COULD MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING HELP US FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
The theory behind marine cloud brightening is that brighter or whiter clouds reflect more sunlight back into space.
IS IT SAFE TO RUN EVERY DAY, OR SHOULD I DITCH MY RUN STREAK TO SAVE MY KNEES?
A running streak, where you run every day without taking rest days, can be highly motivating and beneficial for overall fitness. Running is great cardiovascular exercise and isn't to be discouraged (and finding a routine with some consistency is great). Getting a bit of exercise as often as possible is also hugely beneficial for your mental health.
WHAT MAKES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET SO GOOD FOR US?
The Mediterranean diet may help you live longer, especially if you also adopt the lifestyle of people living near the Med during the 1950s.
WHAT IS MEXICO'S BLUE HOLE?
The world's deepest blue hole (marine sinkhole) lies off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It's at least 420m (1,378ft) deep, but explorers still haven't found its bottom.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I'VE GOT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by glands in our bodies called the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. It plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation and helping the body respond to stress. While essential for our health, chronic elevation of cortisol levels can lead to several issues.
THE LUNGFISH
In 1836, European scientists discovered a peculiar animal from the River Amazon that they struggled to identify. Its eel-like body was a few feet long and its air-filled lungs persuaded anatomists it must be a reptile.
ARE WE THE ONLY SPECIES TO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A STONE AGE?
The Stone Age might conjure up images of early humans, sitting around a campfire or hunting prehistoric beasts, but evidence shows that we're not the only species that has learned how to work with stone tools. Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use stone tools to crack open nuts.
Should we scrap daylight saving time?
Most of us look forward to the extra hour we get in bed every October, but researchers argue that changing the clocks twice a year harms our health
THE INTERNET OF ANIMALS
SCIENTISTS ARE USING ELECTRONIC TAGS AND SATELLITES TO TRACK WILD ANIMALS AND CREATE A DATA NETWORK THAT COULD HELP US ADDRESS THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS
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