NASA scientists are predicting one possible scenario for the end of the Universe — the so-called Big Freeze. According to this theory, the cosmos will continue to expand, which will eventually cause it to cool completely and stop all processes.

Dark energy and its role in the fate of the Universe
Dark energy is the mysterious factor accelerating the expansion of the cosmos. It was discovered in the 1990s. Although research has been ongoing for more than 20 years, its nature remains a mystery to astrophysics. One popular theory is holographic dark energy, which views space and gravity as derived phenomena.
In the Big Freeze scenario, dark energy contributes to the constant distancing of galaxies, causing matter to dissipate and energy for star formation to become scarce. Eventually, the galaxies will pull away from each other so much that their light will no longer reach Earth. The cosmos will plunge into absolute darkness as light waves are stretched out and temperatures approach absolute zero.
How is our understanding of the Universe changing?
The Big Freeze theory offers a pessimistic but scientifically sound view of the future. It emphasizes that regardless of whether the cosmos is getting warmer or colder now, it may lose all active processes in the distant future. This forces mankind to rethink the question of time, existence and meaning of cosmic events.
Is the Universe really cooling?
Previously, it was thought that the temperature was steadily decreasing due to the expansion of the cosmos. However, new research from Ohio University’s Institute for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics (CCAPP) indicates that the Universe has gotten warmer over time. The impact of this phenomenon remains a matter of debate among astronomers.
Why is this theory important?
The Big Freeze is one of the most likely models for the demise of the Universe. It will happen gradually, over billions of years, until the temperature drops to a critical point. This means that in the distant future, all stars will fade out, galaxies will disappear, and the Universe will remain cold and dead.
While this prospect sounds bleak, it is only one hypothesis. There are several other options for the death of the Universe: the Big Compression or the Big Rip. It will happen in a few tens of billions of years anyway, so no need to worry now. These hypotheses only encourage scientists to further explore the cosmos and its mysterious dark energy.
We previously reported on how the expansion era of the Universe was coming to the end.
According to eldiario24.com