Universe dying quicker than expected: Research

The universe is set to meet its end far sooner than scientists once believed — though "sooner," in this case, still means trillions upon trillions of years from now, according to new research from Radboud University in the Netherlands.

The study, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, concludes that the universe will cease to exist in approximately 10⁷⁸ years — that’s a 1 followed by 78 zeroes — a stunning revision from the previous estimate of 10¹¹⁰⁰ years.

“The final end of the universe is coming much sooner than expected,” said lead author Heino Falcke, “but fortunately it still takes a very long time.”

The findings stem from new calculations about the fate of white dwarf stars — the dense remnants of dead stars — believed to be among the most long-lasting objects in the cosmos.

The Role of Hawking Radiation

The research centers on Hawking radiation, a theory proposed by famed physicist Stephen Hawking in the 1970s. Hawking suggested that black holes slowly evaporate by emitting radiation, eventually disappearing over unimaginably long timescales.

The Dutch scientists applied this theory more broadly, estimating when all black holes, white dwarfs, and ultimately all matter would dissolve — leaving behind a cold, empty void.

Their revised model paints a slightly more urgent timeline for the heat death of the universe, the point when all thermodynamic activity ceases and nothing remains to burn, shine, or evolve.

Earth’s Fate: Much Closer

Despite the colossal number of years involved, humanity is not expected to witness this distant finale. In fact, Earth itself won’t make it anywhere close.

In about 1 billion years, our Sun is projected to become too hot to support life, boiling Earth’s oceans. Roughly 7 billion years later, the Sun will expand into a red giant, ultimately engulfing Earth in a fiery end.

So while the new findings may be of cosmic significance, they’re not exactly cause for immediate alarm.

Unless, of course, we manage to escape Earth — and perhaps even our solar system — to extend our species’ cosmic shelf life.