New Model Suggests Our Universe Is Not Optimal for Intelligent Life

Researchers explore how dark energy influences star formation and the probability of life across possible universes.

The study, led by Durham University astrophysicists, introduces a model akin to the Drake Equation, assessing the likelihood of intelligent life in our universe and others.
Dark energy, which accelerates the universe's expansion, plays a crucial role in the formation of stars, a necessary condition for life as we know it.
Findings indicate that a universe with a higher density of dark energy could potentially have more favorable conditions for life.
The model calculates that 27% of ordinary matter would convert into stars in the most efficient universe, compared to 23% in ours.
Understanding dark energy's impact on star formation and life development could lead to new insights into the conditions necessary for intelligent life.