Unexplainable Nightmare at the end of the universe
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Aug 18, 2025 
Adam Riess, a Nobel laureate and astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University, dives into the mysteries of dark energy, the elusive force that dominates the universe. He discusses the emotional impact of our cosmic fears and how childhood nightmares about the universe's end conflict with groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Riess also explores new findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, challenging previous assumptions and calling into question the very fabric of cosmology. Get ready for a mind-bending journey through the cosmos!
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Childhood Moment That Shaped A Career
- Adam Riess remembers an eight-year-old moment watching the night sky with his dad that sparked his fascination with cosmology.
- That childhood curiosity led him to study how the universe changes and ultimately to his career as an astrophysicist.
From Bug Hunt To Breakthrough
- Adam recounts discovering evidence that the universe's expansion was accelerating and initially assuming he had a bug in his code.
- He checked repeatedly, sent data to collaborators, and learned the result was real, not a mistake.
Dark Energy As Empty-Space Energy
- Dark energy is described as the energy of empty space that acts repulsively and pushes things apart.
- This component dominates the universe and explains the observed acceleration of cosmic expansion.