Space and Universe: Half as Much Energy as 2 Billion Years Ago?

It is hard to imagine the vast universe quietly slipping away, but new scientific research indicates that energy in space is slowly declining. Through the study of energy production in over 200,000 galaxies, an international team of scientists has discovered that there is 50 percent less energy in space than 2 billion years ago. The energy will continue to slowly dwindle until our universe ultimately dies, according to the survey data recently published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Through seven of the world's most powerful telescopes, including two orbiting space telescopes, the energy output of 21 galaxies was measured at varying wavelengths from the far ultraviolet to the far infrared over a seven-year period. By knowing how much energy is circulating within a specific portion of space, scientists can better learn how galaxies are formed and are developing. While astronomers have known for nearly 25 years that the universe is fading, this new study proves that the energy is dissipating on all wavelengths.

This study is a portion of the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) project whose aim is to study galaxy formation and evolution as well as cosmology through the analysis of spectroscopic surveys. Almost 100 scientists from 30 universities in Australia, the United States and Europe are collaborating on the project. GAMA team leader Professor Simon Driver of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) presented the findings of the largest multi-wavelength survey at the International Astronomical Union's General Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii on Monday.

"The Universe is fated to decline from here on in, like an old age that lasts forever." Driver said in a statement. "The Universe has basically plonked itself down on the sofa, pulled up a blanket and is about to nod off for an eternal doze."

The "Big Bang" generated most of the energy currently present in the universe. However, stars convert mass into energy in order to shine; this newly formed energy flows freely in intergalactic space until it hits something, or is absorbed by space dust, Driver explained, but the output of energy in space is continuously waning.

Even though this dataset is the most comprehensive spectroscopic survey to date, the GAMA team wishes to further broaden the scope of their energy output map by including radio waves. The inclusion of this wavelength in their research will help the team create an energy production map spanning the entire Universe's history.