The majority of physicists once believed that the universe's expansion was slowing down.
The
majority
of
physicists
once
believed
that
the
universe
's
expansion
was
slowing
down
.
In 1998, they were proven completely wrong.
In
1998
,
they
were
proven
completely
wrong
.
Though it flies in the face of scientific theory, the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate.
Though
it
flies
in
the
face
of
scientific
theory
,
the
universe
is
expanding
at
an
ever-increasing
rate
.
One possible explanation is that empty space has a thing called dark energy, which supposedly makes up about three quarters of the universe.
One
possible
explanation
is
that
empty
space
has
a
thing
called
dark
energy
,
which
supposedly
makes
up
about
three
quarters
of
the
universe
.
Dark energy supposedly very sparsely exists in such a way that it interacts with other objects only through attracting force.
Dark
energy
supposedly
very
sparsely
exists
in
such
a
way
that
it
interacts
with
other
objects
only
through
attracting
force
.
It has a strong negative pressure, which causes it to pull on its surroundings and as a result, pull apart the universe.
It
has
a
strong
negative
pressure
,
which
causes
it
to
pull
on
its
surroundings
and
as
a
result
,
pull
apart
the
universe
.
This neatly explains the universe's expansion without completely changing our understanding of the universe.
This
neatly
explains
the
universe
's
expansion
without
completely
changing
our
understanding
of
the
universe
.
Scientists can merely claim that dark energy "should" exist.
Scientists
can
merely
claim
that
dark
energy
``
should
''
exist
.
According to Einstein's theory of relativity, it is impossible to travel faster than at the speed of light.
According
to
Einstein
's
theory
of
relativity
,
it
is
impossible
to
travel
faster
than
at
the
speed
of
light
.
With this in mind, physicists set out to do the impossible and succeeded.
With
this
in
mind
,
physicists
set
out
to
do
the
impossible
and
succeeded
.
In 2000, scientists in Princeton, New Jersey sent a small pulse of laser light through a vapor made up of gaseous cesium.
In
2000
,
scientists
in
Princeton
,
New
Jersey
sent
a
small
pulse
of
laser
light
through
a
vapor
made
up
of
gaseous
cesium
.
The pulse traveled so quickly that it was already leaving the vapor-filled chamber as it was still entering, roughly 300 times faster than it would have in a vacuum.
The
pulse
traveled
so
quickly
that
it
was
already
leaving
the
vapor-filled
chamber
as
it
was
still
entering
,
roughly
300
times
faster
than
it
would
have
in
a
vacuum
.
Thus, light moved faster than the speed of light.
Thus
,
light
moved
faster
than
the
speed
of
light
.
Other experiments have since managed to conquer light's supposed speed limit, though all claims have had fine print that keeps them from being especially groundbreaking.
Other
experiments
have
since
managed
to
conquer
light
's
supposed
speed
limit
,
though
all
claims
have
had
fine
print
that
keeps
them
from
being
especially
groundbreaking
.
Those seeking to truly prove Einstein wrong must instead turn to objects like black holes, which could theoretically cause things to move at faster-than-light speeds.
Those
seeking
to
truly
prove
Einstein
wrong
must
instead
turn
to
objects
like
black
holes
,
which
could
theoretically
cause
things
to
move
at
faster-than-light
speeds
.
Black holes have been proven to be particularly uncooperative test subjects though, and for now this remains a guess.
Black
holes
have
been
proven
to
be
particularly
uncooperative
test
subjects
though
,
and
for
now
this
remains
a
guess
.
The majority of physicists once believed that the universe's expansion was slowing down. In 1998, they were proven completely wrong. Though it flies in the face of scientific theory, the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate.  One possible explanation is that empty space has a thing called dark energy, which supposedly makes up about three quarters of the universe. Dark energy supposedly very sparsely exists in such a way that it interacts with other objects only through attracting force. It has a strong negative pressure, which causes it to pull on its surroundings and as a result, pull apart the universe. This neatly explains the universe's expansion without completely changing our understanding of the universe. Scientists can merely claim that dark energy "should" exist.  According to Einstein's theory of relativity, it is impossible to travel faster than at the speed of light.  With this in mind, physicists set out to do the impossible and succeeded. In 2000, scientists in Princeton, New Jersey sent a small pulse of laser light through a vapor made up of gaseous cesium. The pulse traveled so quickly that it was already leaving the vapor-filled chamber as it was still entering, roughly 300 times faster than it would have in a vacuum. Thus, light moved faster than the speed of light.  Other experiments have since managed to conquer light's supposed speed limit, though all claims have had fine print that keeps them from being especially groundbreaking. Those seeking to truly prove Einstein wrong must instead turn to objects like black holes, which could theoretically cause things to move at faster-than-light speeds. Black holes have been proven to be particularly uncooperative test subjects though, and for now this remains a guess.