dark energy
English
Etymology
Coined by American cosmologist Michael Turner in 1998, in reference to the earlier term dark matter.
Noun
- (astronomy, astrophysics) A hypothetical form of energy which, it is supposed, is spread uniformly throughout space (and time) and has anti-gravitational properties: it represents a possible mechanism for the cosmological constant, and thus is one of the possible explanations for the current accelerating rate of expansion of the universe; and it is estimated to account for about 74% of the mass-energy of the universe.
- 2011 May 20, After study of 240,000 galaxies, dark energy comes to light, article in The Australian,
- Even Albert Einstein, who first proposed it as the Cosmological Constant in his 1916 General Theory of Relativity, doubted dark energy existed. He called it his "greatest blunder". Now, after a five-year survey of nearly 240,000 galaxies reflecting eight billion years of cosmic history, a team of astrophysicists has shown the elusive force exists. The data were obtained using the Anglo-Australian Telescope, and 26 scientists contributed to the so-called WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey.
- 2011 May 20, After study of 240,000 galaxies, dark energy comes to light, article in The Australian,
Related terms
Translations
hypothetical form of energy which, it is supposed, is spread uniformly throughout space and time and has anti-gravitational properties
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