New method of detecting dark energy discovered

[Dreaming Of Pandora]

Analysing the sublte effects dark energy has on gravitationally bent light [photo below], allows cosmologists to probe the nature of dark energy on huge distances and timescales to learn of its behaviour in the Universe.



This is considered a step towards solving the Universe's (second) biggest mystery; how it will end. Knowing the nature of dark energy is knowing the fate of the Universe; Big Rip or Big Chill; both are still possible.