Instant Genius

Katie Mack: How will the Universe end?


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The end of the Universe may be a common feature in science fiction, but this one isn’t a crisis that can be averted by a team of superheroes. The Universe really will come to an end one way or another, and we have an idea how – five ideas, actually.

In this week’s episode of the Science Focus Podcast, astrophysicist Dr Katie Mack talks to us about the future of the cosmos. She dives into these five possible apocalypses, from the Universe gradually fading out to the ‘quantum bubble of death’.

Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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    This podcast was supported by brilliant.org, helping people build quantitative skills in maths, science, and computer science with fun and challenging interactive explorations.

    Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:

    • Dr Jacob Bleacher: Why do we need to go back to the Moon?
    • Colin Stuart: The most mysterious objects in the Universe
    • Professor Fay Dowker: What is the problem of quantum gravity?
    • Dr Erin Macdonald: Is there science in Star Trek?
    • Dr Becky Smethurst: How do you actually find a black hole?
    • Mark McCaughrean: How do you launch a successful space mission?


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