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Cosmological red-shift tells us that the space within our Universe is expanding. It is NOT that the matter within our Universe exploded; rather, SPACE ITSELF is growing bigger. Until about 1995, nobody knew of any entity, other than gravity, in our Universe that could alter the rate of expansion -- and gravity could only slow down this rate. The question was how much was gravity slowing this expansion. Several researchers worked to resolve this question.

When Saul Parlemutter first calculated that the rate of expansion had actually increased over time (we're talking billion of years, mind you), he was sure he had made a dreadful mistake, and diligently searched for his error. After much effort, he finally concluded he had NOT made a mistake, and that the rate of expansion of the space in our Universe really IS increasing.

So what IS the entity that is causing the rate of expansion to increase? We have NO IDEA!! That's why it's been given the name "dark energy." We know it's there because we can see its effects, but (for now) we don't know what it is.

So how do we "calculate" dark energy? We simply compare the change in the rate of expansion that we SHOULD see (ie, what we would expect if dark energy didn't exist) -- and this rate should be very close to zero -- with the change that we do see. The difference is the amount of dark energy in our Universe.

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Is the universe matter?

The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.


Why is dark energy so weak?

We do not know what dark energy is, so we can only theorize about its sources. However, if dark energy were much stronger than current observations estimate, life would not be possible. Therefore, we can say dark energy is weak in our Universe, because our Universe is capable of supporting life.


What is the opposite of Dark Energy?

There is no opposite of dark energy in the sense that there exists something that is the exact opposite of dark energy. Dark energy speeds the rate of expansion of space, even empty space, and gravity, mass, or matter causes the opposite in that it causes a decrease in the rate of expansion of space in areas that have matter.


How does light and dark reactions correspond with parts of a leaf?

Dark reaction needs energy. this energy is supplied by light reaction


How is the energy distributed in the universe?

The energy in the universe is primarily distributed across three main components: dark energy, dark matter, and ordinary matter. Dark energy, which comprises about 68% of the universe's total energy content, is thought to drive the accelerated expansion of the universe. Dark matter accounts for about 27% and plays a crucial role in the structure formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Ordinary matter, including stars, planets, and interstellar gas, makes up only about 5% of the total energy density, highlighting the dominance of dark components in cosmic energy distribution.

Related Questions

Which is thought to be more prevalent in the universe dark matter or dark energy?

Dark energy. The current estimates for the distribution of mass/energy in the Universe are approximately: 68% dark energy 27% dark matter 5% baryonic (i.e. "normal") matter


When was Dark Energy Digital created?

Dark Energy Digital was created in 1998.


Can Astronomer's directly detect dark energy and dark matter?

Dark matter and dark energy have NOT been detected yet, so any ideas about detecting dark energy and dark matter, whether it be directly or indirectly, is speculation for now.


When it is dark does solar energy work?

Solar energy can be USED in the dark, but cannot be collected .


What does dark energy seem to be doing?

Dark energy is the force that is driving the expansion of the universe


Is the universe matter?

The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.The Universe contains matter, energy, dark matter, dark energy, empty space - and of course, lots of structures made up of those.


What percent of the universe is made up of dark energy?

Dark energy -- whatever it turns out to be -- constitutes about 74% of the energy in our Universe.


If light is energy then what about dark is it also energy?

Dark is the absence of light. Dark is nothing itself other than the absence of light.


What is the difference between dark energy and dark matter and what are the inferred affects of each?

From my studies dark energy creates electrical phtons making a stonger pull to the source than dark matter does. In fact, I think that dark energy can power a car, but sadly it is impossible to harness dark energy. I'll have to do little more research to be sure.


Does dark matter/energy responsible for the expansion of the universe?

Yes. Dark energy is responsible for the expansion of the universe.


What is agegraphic dark energy and what is conform time in new agegraphic dark energy?

Agegraphic dark energy is the name of a particular mathematical model for dark energy. The name appears to have been chosen as a callback to another model ("holographic dark energy") and the fact that in the ADE model, the age of the universe is a parameter. The conformal time is a parameter in this model; the energy density of the universe is inversely proportional to the square of the conformal time.


What is the energy lost formula used to calculate the amount of energy dissipated in a system?

The energy lost formula used to calculate the amount of energy dissipated in a system is: Energy Lost Initial Energy - Final Energy.