There are many things in the universe that are not visible with the help of our naked eyes. However, they exist, too. The question arises here: What are they made of? The question has probably been around since the beginning of human civilisation. However, the secret is still not known.

Since the last quarter of the 20th Century, scientists have been coming to the conclusion that the basic compounds of everything in this universe are molecules and atoms. While only 5% things of the universe are made of these molecules and atoms, 25% are made of dark matter. It is a kind of unknown object that is invisible. Their existence can be known through gravity. Meanwhile, the remaining 70% are made of dark energy that is shrouded in mystery. According to scientists, dark energy is a complicated idea.

On January 9, 1998, two groups of international astronomers discussed how dark energy is controlling the universe. A group of astronomers and researchers from Cornell University in New York recently shed light on this dark energy. Interestingly, Albert Einstein had discussed the concept of dark energy more than a century ago while formulating his Theory of Relativity. With the help of various equations, he realised that the universe is continuously contracting or expanding. To be consistent with the Theory of Gravitation, Einstein used a constant, called Cosmological Constant, in his Equations of General Relativity. He identified the Cosmological Constant with the Greek letter, Lambda (Λ).

Later, US Astronomers Henrietta Swan Leavitt and Edwin Hubble proved that the universe is continuously expanding. Then, Einstein dropped Lambda from his equation to accommodate the idea of an expanding universe. He also admitted that the biggest mistake of his life as a scientist was the concept of Cosmological Constant.

In 1998, two groups of scientists confirmed that the universe is continuously expanding, that too, fast! Hence, some astronomers are of the opinion that the most satisfactory explanation for dark energy can be given through the Cosmological Constant omitted from the field equations of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Scientists are trying hard to measure the dark energy by observing the continuous explosions of constellations and the rays scattered from them. Around 400 scientists from different continents are involved in this research.

However, scientists are still not sure about the source of dark energy. Different scientists have different opinions about this. According to many, the quantum fluctuations or transformations of quantum energy that are constantly occurring in the infinite void of space result in the creation of dark energy. So far, they have failed to produce strong evidence in favour of their claim.

Hence, the mystery of dark energy still remains elusive!

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das