Frontiers Lecture: Dark Energy and the Fate of the Cosmos

Abell 2744, the giant galaxy cluster known as "Pandora's Cluster," appears as splotches of blue, purple and red against a dark background.

NASA/ESA/J. Merten/D. Coe

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | Sold Out

7 pm

What is dark energy, and how are we finally beginning to understand the force reshaping our universe?

In this Frontiers Lecture, Katie Mack, Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, will explore the latest breakthroughs in dark energy research. From the discovery of cosmic acceleration to cutting-edge results from galaxy surveys like the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), Mack will reveal how astronomers are mapping the universe to understand this enigmatic force. Drawing on emerging data suggesting dark energy may be more dynamic than previously thought, we’ll explore how these discoveries are rewriting our understanding of the universe’s expansion, and what different dark energy behaviors could mean for the fate of the cosmos.

The Museum’s Frontiers Lecture series explores cutting-edge astrophysics topics. This program is recommended for ages 16+.

This program utilizes OpenSpace software supported by NASA under award No NNX16AB93A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.