The fate of our universe remains uncertain.
A recent idea about the end of the universe suggests that it will simply evaporate and disappear. Indeed, everything will eventually evaporate, which is the conclusion of a study recently published in the American Physical Society’s scientific journal.
Scientists at Radboud University in the Netherlands explored Stephen Hawking’s theory regarding the death of black holes, known today as Hawking radiation, which the renowned physicist predicted back in 1974.
According to Stephen Hawking’s theory, black holes evaporate. (Image: Science Photo Library/ Mark Garlick/Getty Images).
According to quantum physics and Einstein’s theory of gravity, particles can self-form and self-destruct in the intense gravitational environment of a black hole, a region known as the event horizon.
Hawking calculated that sometimes these particles get trapped behind the event horizon while others escape as Hawking radiation. Over time, as enough particles escape, the entire black hole will evaporate.
Hawking radiation has been observed around black holes in our universe, confirming the predictions of this brilliant physicist, and until now, black holes have been the only places where experts have searched for Hawking radiation.
However, a new study released by Professor of Physics Heino Falcke from Radboud University may change that.
The study states: “Objects without event horizons, such as the remnants of dead stars and other large objects in the universe, also emit this type of radiation, and after a very long time, this will lead to everything in the universe eventually evaporating, just like black holes.”
In this research, scientists suggest that extreme gravitational environments are not necessary for Hawking radiation; rather, anything with mass that curves the structure of spacetime could trigger this radiation.
Co-author of the study, Professor of Mathematics, Astrophysics, and Particle Physics Walter van Suijlekom at Radboud University, stated that besides black holes, the curvature of spacetime plays a crucial role in generating this radiation.
These calculations by the scientists will require further analysis and experimentation to provide definitive evidence for their predictions. However, even if their theory holds true, there is no cause for concern about our future in the near term.
The researchers estimate that for black holes to evaporate, it would take a time span longer than the current age of the universe.
