The expansion of our universe may be slowing down. What does that mean for dark energy?

As if dark energy weren't already mysterious and baffling enough, new research suggests that this unknown force may not be driving galaxies apart at an accelerating rate anymore.

This remarkable result comes from research that suggests that the expansion of the universe has already begun to slow, contrary to the currently favored belief that dark energy is still accelerating the expansion of the cosmos. The discovery also follows results from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that last year indicated that dark energy is weakening.

This research could not only revolutionize our understanding of the universe as it is today, but also offer clues about how our cosmos will end. If dark energy has already lost the battle against gravity, the next step after slowing cosmic expansi