The end of the universe may come sooner than expected

Research on the end of the universe based on Hawking radiation theory (Illustration: GEO).

The universe could end in about 10 ⁷⁸ years. This figure is surprising because it is much shorter than previous estimates, which suggested that the universe would last up to 10 ¹¹⁰⁰ years.

The research builds on the Hawking radiation theory, proposed by physicist Stephen Hawking in 1974.

Hawking radiation explains how superdense objects such as black holes and neutron stars can gradually lose mass by emitting particles due to quantum effects near their gravitational fields.

What makes this study different is that the scientists extended the scope of Hawking radiation to other celestial objects, including those that are not extremely dense.

The results suggest that even the Moon and humans would, in theory, gradually "evaporate" in a similar process over about ¹⁰⁹⁰ years.

Another surprising finding of the study is that the evaporation times of celestial objects, including neutron stars and stellar black holes, appear to depend only on their densities.

Scientists estimate that these objects would decay in about ¹⁰⁶⁷ years. This goes against the initial intuition that the stronger gravitational field of the black hole would speed up the evaporation process.

Mathematician Walter van Suijlekom, one of the authors of the study, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature and significance of the work: "By asking questions like this and looking at extreme cases, we want to better understand the theory and perhaps one day solve the mystery of Hawking radiation."

He also noted that this was a theoretical exercise intended to test the fundamental laws of physics.

While this study offers a new time frame for the end of the universe, the authors also point out that there are many other factors that could have led to humanity's "extinction" long before then.

Nevertheless, this work has opened up a new perspective on the ultimate fate of the universe and celestial bodies.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/ngay-tan-the-cua-vu-tru-co-the-den-som-hon-du-kien-20250513170242396.htm