Dark energy is the term that scientists have given to the mysterious ‘something’ deemed responsible for the accelerating expansion of the Universe. However, unlike gravity, which pulls things together, physicists and cosmologists still can’t explain what dark energy really is or how it does what it does, despite the fact that it theoretically makes up a substantial part of everything. In this upbeat animation, Pedro Ferreira, professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford, points to the scenarios that his field faces – the ‘incredibly exciting’ one and the ‘doomsday’ one – perhaps taking solace in knowing that there are only two.
The mysterious ‘something’ behind the accelerating expansion of the Universe
Produced by Massive and Pioneer Works
Animation and Direction by Daniel Stankler
Sound by Zing Audio
Words by Pedro Ferreira
Created by Nadja Oertelt
17 December 2018
videoCosmology
Are observers fundamental to physics, or simply byproducts of it?
10 minutes
videoAstronomy
Visualisations explore what the deep future holds for our night sky
6 minutes
videoMathematics
After centuries of trying, we’ve yet to arrive at a perfect way to map colour
20 minutes
videoEthics
What’s an idea worth? How prominent thinkers have understood intellectual property
6 minutes
videoMusic
A riveting audiovisual dive into what makes sounds harmonious, or not
28 minutes
videoHistory of science
How we came to know the size of the Universe – and what mysteries remain
26 minutes
videoKnowledge
Why David Deutsch believes good explanations are the antidote to bad philosophy
10 minutes
videoOceans and water
A stunning visualisation explores the intricate circulatory system of our oceans
5 minutes
videoHistory of science
Ideas ‘of pure genius’ – how astronomers have measured the Universe across history
29 minutes