What is dark energy?
Q: What is dark energy?
A: Dark energy is a force that is believed to accelerate the expansion of the universe.
Q: Why do distant galaxies appear to be moving away from us at high speed?
A: It is because the universe is getting bigger since the Big Bang.
Q: How can astronomers tell that distant galaxies are accelerating away from us?
A: Astronomers can make accurate measurements to detect that galaxies are accelerating away from us.
Q: Is the universe expanding at a constant rate?
A: No, the universe is expanding at an increasing rate.
Q: What is the reason behind the increasing expansion rate of the universe?
A: The reason behind the increasing expansion rate of the universe is the force of dark energy.
Q: What does the theory of dark energy suggest about the future of the universe?
A: The theory of dark energy suggests that the universe will continue to expand at an accelerating rate, eventually leading to the "Big Freeze" or "Big Rip".
Q: How significant are the measurements of dark energy to our understanding of the universe?
A: The measurements of dark energy are very significant to our understanding of the universe because they provide insight into the future expansion of the universe and its ultimate fate.