High-Z Supernova Search
Table of ContentsThe Expanding Universe
The Fate of the Universe [1] [2] [3] [4]
Supernovae
Type Ia Supernovae
Searching for Distant Type Ia Supernovae
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Measuring the Fate of the Universe
If there is lots of material, the Universe would have been expanding much faster in the past. It would be expanding more slowly now, and would eventually halt in its expansion, start to contract, and eventually end in the gnaB giB (that is the Big Bang backwards). In most models of the universe, this type of Universe curves onto itself, like the surface of a sphere, and is finite.If there isn't much material, today's expansion rate would be similar to the expansion rate of the early universe, and the expansion would continue forever. This type of universe curves away from itself, like the surface of a saddle, and therefore is without end.
Here we once again plot the distance between two galaxies as a function of time. Looking into the future we see that the galaxies get further and further apart, except if gravity is able to halt the expansion. If the Universe expands at the same rate, it will follow the dotted yellow path. But if it is slowing down over time the Universe it eventually turns around and starts to contract. If the Universe is speeding up, it will continue to do so at an ever increasing rate.