In the quest to understand the universe’s accelerated expansion, a team of scientists has put forth a groundbreaking hypothesis: black holes may be the source of dark energy. This theory emerges from recent data collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which is studying galaxies up to billions of years in the past.
Traditionally, dark energy has been seen as an unknown force causing the universe to expand faster over time. Researchers have often compared its mysterious nature to a hidden pressure, constituting about 75% of the universe’s energy density. But its origin has been elusive. Now, a study by astronomers, including researchers at Arizona State University, suggests that the creation of black holes during stellar collapse might be connected to the presence of dark energy itself.
The DESI instrument has made it possible to observe changes in dark energy over time, offering insights into how black holes formed by massive stars could contribute to this cosmic force. According to lead scientist Kevin Croker, when a star collapses into a black hole, its mass may undergo a transformation, releasing a form of energy that accelerates cosmic expansion.
This theory proposes a mind-bending idea: black holes might act as “factories” of dark energy, connecting the expansion of the universe with these enigmatic objects. In doing so, they might explain why the density of dark energy appears to increase alongside the number and mass of black holes in the cosmos.
These findings, while preliminary, add a fascinating layer to our understanding of black holes and their possible role in the evolution of the universe. As more data emerges from DESI in the coming years, researchers hope to refine this theory further, potentially reshaping cosmology as we know it.
