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Credit & Copyright: Umar Mohideen
(U. California at Riverside)
Explanation:
This tiny ball provides evidence that the
universe will expand forever.
Measuring slightly over one tenth of a millimeter,
the ball moves toward a
smooth plate in response
to energy fluctuations in the vacuum of empty space.
The attraction is known as the
Casimir Effect, named for its
discoverer,
who, 50 years ago, was trying to understand why fluids like
mayonnaise move so slowly.
Today, evidence is accumulating that most of the
energy density in the universe
is in an unknown form dubbed
dark energy.
The form and genesis of dark energy is almost completely unknown,
but postulated as related to
vacuum fluctuations similar to the
Casimir Effect but generated somehow by space itself.
This vast and mysterious
dark energy
appears to gravitationally repel all matter and hence will likely
cause the universe to expand forever.
Understanding vacuum fluctuations is on the forefront of research not only to
better understand our universe but also for
stopping micro-mechanical machine parts from sticking together.
Note: An
APOD editor will review astronomy images of 2009,
hosted by the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York on Friday,
January 8 at the American Museum of Natural History, NYC.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Casimir effect - dark energy
Publications with words: Casimir effect - dark energy
See also: