As Stars Lose Shine, Universe's Death Approaches

The universe is on its death course as energy within declines with time, claims a new study from an international team of astronomers.

According to NPR, the study measured the energy output from 200,000 galaxies only to find that it is just about half of what it was two billion years ago, and declining. Using ground and space-based telescopes, the study measured wavelength data across 21 spectrums of light from the ultraviolet to infrared, and found an energy decline across all spectra.

Following the Big Bang, most of the universe's energy came into being with some of it as mass, scientists explain.

"While most of the energy sloshing around in the Universe arose in the aftermath of the Big Bang, additional energy is constantly being generated by stars as they fuse elements like hydrogen and helium together. This new 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, a planet, or, very occasionally, a telescope mirror," said Simon Driver who headed the project.

While it was known two decades ago that the universe had entered a phase of decline, scientists could not assess the energy output until now.

"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," Driver concludes.

It's not lights-out yet as the universe is going to be around for a few billion years before the final light goes out.