Albert Einstein's century-old theory about gravity proven right again

The study also sheds light on the cosmic web - the large-scale structure of matter in the universe formed by the gravitational pull of galaxies and dark matter.

In Short

• The research is part of a long-term study on dark energy and cosmic expansion
• They analysed data from nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars
• They traced the universe's structural growth over the past 11 billion years

In a groundbreaking study, an international team of scientists has provided the most precise test to date of gravity's behaviour at cosmic scales, confirming Albert Einstein's century-old theory of general relativity.

The findings, announced on Tuesday, come from observations made by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

The research, part of a long-term study on dark energy and cosmic expansion, analyzed data from nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars, tracing the universe's structural growth over the past 11 billion years.

DESI's ability to capture light from 5,000 galaxies simultaneously enabled this unprecedented cosmic survey.

University of Michigan cosmologist Dragan Huterer, co-leader of the DESI data interpretation team, emphasised the significance of the results: "Einstein's theory of general relativity describes the motion of massive objects in a gravitational field that they create. It is one of the most successful physical theories that we have."

While the findings align with Einstein's predictions, they also reveal intriguing developments regarding dark energy, the mysterious force driving the universe's accelerating expansion.

The data suggests that dark energy may not be constant but rather evolving over time.

Astrophysicist Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki from the University of Texas at Dallas noted, "Our DESI data shows that it is in agreement with Einstein's theory of gravity but still favors a dynamical dark energy - and finding these simultaneously is new."

This discovery could have profound implications for our understanding of the universe's future. If dark energy is indeed weakening, it could alter the long-term trajectory of cosmic expansion.

The study also sheds light on the cosmic web - the large-scale structure of matter in the universe formed by the gravitational pull of galaxies and dark matter.

This intricate network of filaments and voids has been mapped with unprecedented detail, offering new insights into the universe's composition and evolution.

As researchers continue to analyse DESI data, they hope to further unravel the mysteries of dark energy and refine our understanding of cosmic structure.

The ongoing collaboration, involving over 900 scientists from more than 70 institutions worldwide, promises to push the boundaries of cosmological knowledge in the years to come.