The universe 'will expand forever', new Nasa study on 'dark energy' concludes - Telegraph

via telegraph.co.uk

Space agency researchers used the Hubble Space Telescope to “narrow in” on what they believe comprises the energy, which pushes our universe apart at ever-increasing speed.

Discovered it in 1998, astronomers have been unable to say what the mysterious force is, except that it is invisible and makes up a “large chunk of our universe”, or 72 per cent of its size.

Almost a quarter, 24 per cent, is thought to be "dark matter", which is also mysterious but easier to study than dark energy because of its “gravitational influence”.

The rest of the universe, a mere four per cent, is made of “the stuff that makes up people, planets, stars and everything made up of atoms”.

Yes we are very insignificant.

Posted via email from poobumwee's posterous

Smiley in the Sky

The last two nights in our neighbourhood have been enlivened by clear skies and the presence of a crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter. On Monday night it was a smiley face and last night it was an upside down sad face.

The moon is the brightest, closest and smallest of the three and is 252,000 miles away. Venus, the second brightest, closest and smallest, is 94 million miles away, while Jupiter is 540 million miles away.

The three celestial objects come together from time to time, but often they are too close to the sun or unite at a time when they are less visible.

The next time the three will be as close and visible as this week will be Nov 18, 2052, according to Jack Horkheimer, director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium.

I tried to take a picture, but my lame camera did not support my efforts to document the event. Still it was fun to see.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Smiley Sky Over Australia