Is the universe dying? Galaxy energy levels less than half compared to two billion years ago!

(Image for representational purposes only)

New Delhi: The beautiful enigma, that is our Universe, is full of yet-to-be-discovered secrets that scientists are making tireless efforts to find out.

However, amidst the ongoing search for answers, astronomers seem to have found evidence to believe that the universe is well on its way to decline, the reason being the deteriorating energy levels in galaxies.

This belief was formed after astronomers surveyed more than 200,000 galaxies, which showed that because of the fusion of matter taking place in stars, the energy is falling and the level of energy being generated does not even match up to half of what it was two billion years ago.

As per Express UK, researchers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Western Australia used seven powerful telescopes from around the globe to examine galaxies with 21 different light wavelengths – ranging from ultraviolet to far infrared.

Professor Simon Driver of the ICRAR said at a International Astronomical Union's General Assembly: "We used as many space and ground-based telescopes we could get our hands on, to measure the energy output of over 200,000 galaxies across as broad a wavelength range as possible.

"While most of the energy sloshing around was created in the aftermath of the Big Bang, additional energy is constantly being released by stars as they fuse elements like hydrogen and helium together.

"This newly released energy is either absorbed by dust as it travels through the host galaxy, or escapes into intergalactic space and travels until it hits something such as another star, planet, or very occasionally a telescope mirror.

"The Universe will decline from here on in, sliding gently into old age. The Universe has basically sat down on the sofa, pulled up a blanket and is about to nod off for an eternal doze,” Express UK reported.