[PJ-Comix]

It's tough to contemplate the AMAZING cosmological discoveries made in recent years. Like all matter and energy in the entire universe fitting into an area smaller than the size of an atom at the beginning of the Big Bang. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN??????

[rickmichaels]

Ask God.

[econjack]

This "dark energy" is so pervasive that it makes up 76 percent of all the mass energy in the universe.

Damn! My calculations show 77 percent.

[gleeaikin]

Cosmic ping

[Popocatapetl]

Ironically, about the only mythical cosmology that agrees with current theory to some extent is Kabbalah.

In a very distilled fashion, it states that God wanted to find out if there is anything that is *not* God. So God created an area which is the absence of God, a true vacuum, then with something akin to a lightning bolt, implanted a single particle in the middle of it.

The particle was to endlessly replicate itself until it reflected God, like a mirror, so God would be able to see if there was anything else. Then, its task complete, the mirror would cease to exist, and everything would become God again.

From this interpretation, everything that exists in reality are endless permutations of that particle.

Now, if this description was given to a Kabbalist, no doubt they would scream in anguish at my terrible interpretation that horribly mangles Kabbalist doctrines, but drawing such parallels with current cosmological theory is never going to be tidier than several unhappy cats in a washing machine.

[TexasCajun]

The dark side is strong, yes.

[Moonman62]

For dark energy revealed that the matter in planets, stars, ourselves and everything we hold dear is a cosmic afterthought, the fallen scraps from the main fabric of the cosmos.

That's a rather pessimistic way of looking at it. The author must be a liberal.

[dragonblustar]

And how the universe will end in the big RIP.

[RightWhale]

• all matter and energy in the entire universe fitting into an area smaller than the size of an atom at the beginning of the Big Bang. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN??????

  While the volume of this primordial particle was smaller than an atom, the energy and mass in that wasn't all that much. Most, you could say all, the mass and energy of the universe appeared after the event. Might also mention it is all mathematics of the incomprehensible kind and doesn't directly concern us even if it energizes those who feel existentially threatened by obtuse math.

[TheDon]

As astronomers mark the 10th anniversary of the discovery of dark energy this fall, they have a new appreciation for how much Copernican humility remains in order. For dark energy revealed that the matter in planets, stars, ourselves and everything we hold dear is a cosmic afterthought, the fallen scraps from the main fabric of the cosmos.

Once again, we find that we are not the center of the universe. Truly, adding insult to injury. :^)

[uglybiker]

There is definitely a 'Dark Energy' out there.

And it is frightening!