New research challenges the existence of dark energy, suggesting instead that the Universe’s apparent acceleration is due to its uneven structure, a concept described in the “timescape” model. Physicists from the University of Canterbury argue that the universe expands irregularly rather than uniformly, negating the need for dark energy—historically seen as an invisible force driving cosmic acceleration. They analyze supernovae light curves and find discrepancies in how cosmic distances and time are calibrated, leading to the conclusion that cosmic expansion appears faster in voids where gravity affects time.
This model posits that clocks in denser regions like the Milky Way run slower than those in vast empty spaces, creating an impression of accelerated expansion. The implications of this research could significantly resolve long-standing cosmological debates, including the Hubble tension observed between early Universe expansion and current rates. Upcoming satellite missions, particularly the European Space Agency’s Euclid, are expected to provide critical data to further validate the timescape model and may redefine our understanding of dark energy. Researchers assert that, with forthcoming observations, the fundamental nature of cosmic expansion may be clarified by the decade’s end.
