Since the 1990s, the standard model of cosmology and astrophysics has developed the concept of Dark Energy, which is said to be behind the acceleration of the expansion rate of the universe. We are not going to delve into the details of expansion, acceleration, energy and matter, but just keep in mind the following points:
- Within a very very very small fraction of a second before the big bang, the universe went through a hyperinflation phase and expanded by an explosive factor of 1026 to 1032!! This is an unimaginable factor given the tiny fraction of a second it took.
- Afterwards, the rate of expansion slowed down, but the universe continued to expand.
- About 5 billion years ago, the expansion rate accelerated again and it continues to do so. That means, not only our universe is expanding, it is expanding at a faster and faster rate.
Scientists cannot explain this acceleration of the expansion, except for introducing an exotic energy called Dark Energy, whose nature is not known. It cannot be detected, other than being observed through its impact (the acceleration of the expansion of the universe).
Here we have to delve into Einstein’s relativity to prepare for our proposal:
- You see, the universe is made up of real observable matter (everything we see and measure), a minute level of radiation (photons running around), Dark Matter, whose nature we do not know except for its impact on galaxies, and Dark Energy, as we discussed.
- Using Einstein’s famous Energy-Mass equation E=MC2 where E is energy, M is the mass, and C is the speed of light, we see that Mass and Energy are in a certain way interchangeable, and that is where it gets interesting.
- Based on the latest scientific investigations, the observable matter is about 5% of ‘everything in the universe’, Dark Matter 25-27%, and Dark Energy a whopping 68%!! Consequently, all the planets, galaxies, dusts, gases that we see in the universe are only 5% of the energy-matter in the universe. 93-94% of everything in the universe is ‘Dark’ about which we know very little! That is a sobering thought.
Now if we get back to the 5 billion years that we mentioned above, we notice that the time is pretty close to when our solar system came into existence (4.6 billion years ago, which on cosmic level is close). We also know that Earth harbored life, albeit very primitive, quite early in its existence. So we notice that within a short period of time after the acceleration of the expansion rate, life occurred on Earth! Is there a link?
Maybe, maybe not. If we say the acceleration is due to Dark Energy, which became the dominant energy about 5 billion years ago, just as Earth was being formed and harbored life, we may have reason to link the events:
The Life singularity, Dark Energy and acceleration of the expansion rate of the universe are intertwined. Consequently, the day we explain Dark Energy, we can explain Life singularity.
March, 9, 2023, Cambridge,
Berta Seintan, PhD & Charlene Wardin, PhD