Cosmological concept · Cosmology

The Cosmological Constant (Λ)

Cosmology & UniverseActive Research

Definition

A constant energy density of empty space, Einstein's Λ, the simplest candidate for dark energy.

Scientific overview

Einstein introduced the cosmological constant in 1917, later calling it his 'greatest blunder'. The 1998 discovery of cosmic acceleration revived it: a constant vacuum energy fits the data and gives the Λ in ΛCDM. Why its value is so tiny compared to particle-physics predictions is one of the deepest problems in physics.

Open questions

Why is Λ so small (the cosmological-constant problem)?
Is dark energy really constant?

Rests on

Dark Energy

Related scientists

Albert Einstein

Knowledge connections

Related toDark Energy
Depends onDark Energy
Part of modelThe Lambda-CDM Model
Developed byAlbert Einstein
Related toThe Lambda-CDM Model
Associated withMatter Density (Ωm)
Associated withDark Energy Density (ΩΛ)
Associated withZero-Point Energy
Associated withVacuum Energy
Associated withThe Cosmological Constant Problem

Sources & references

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

Quick facts

Type: Cosmological concept
Field: Cosmology
Consensus: Active Research
Part of model: The Lambda-CDM Model

Scientific consensus

Active Research

A leading paradigm or an area of intense study, not yet definitively settled.

Quality & authority

31%

Unreviewed

Completeness: Complete
Source coverage: Partial
Citation coverage: None
Relationship coverage: Complete
Review coverage: None
Image coverage: None

Curated from authoritative sources. See source quality.

Scientific citations

Real, source-backed references — primary papers first, then datasets and institutional sources. Formatted through the citation engine; nothing is fabricated.

Peer-reviewed paperObservational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant

Adam G. Riess & et al. · The Astronomical Journal 116, 1009–1038 · 1998

The Astronomical Journal · doi:10.1086/300499

Cite (APA / BibTeX)

Adam G. Riess & et al. (1998). Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant. The Astronomical Journal 116, 1009–1038. The Astronomical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1086/300499

@misc{cite:riess-1998,
  title        = {Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant},
  author       = {Adam G. Riess and et al.},
  organization = {The Astronomical Journal},
  howpublished = {The Astronomical Journal 116, 1009–1038},
  year         = {1998},
  doi          = {10.1086/300499},
  url          = {https://doi.org/10.1086/300499},
  note         = {Evidence for accelerating cosmic expansion (High-z Supernova Search Team).}
}

Institutional pageThe Cosmological Constant — NASA Universe

NASA

Cite (APA / BibTeX)

NASA (n.d.). The Cosmological Constant — NASA Universe. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/

@misc{cite:nasa-cosmo-the-cosmological-constant,
  title        = {The Cosmological Constant — NASA Universe},
  organization = {NASA},
  year         = {n.d.},
  url          = {https://science.nasa.gov/},
  note         = {NASA science overview: The Cosmological Constant.}
}

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Scientific overview

Sources & references

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

Adam G. Riess & et al. (1998). Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant. The Astronomical Journal 116, 1009–1038. The Astronomical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1086/300499 @misc{cite:riess-1998, title = {Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant}, author = {Adam G. Riess and et al.}, organization = {The Astronomical Journal}, howpublished = {The Astronomical Journal 116, 1009–1038}, year = {1998}, doi = {10.1086/300499}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1086/300499}, note = {Evidence for accelerating cosmic expansion (High-z Supernova Search Team).} }

NASA (n.d.). The Cosmological Constant — NASA Universe. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/ @misc{cite:nasa-cosmo-the-cosmological-constant, title = {The Cosmological Constant — NASA Universe}, organization = {NASA}, year = {n.d.}, url = {https://science.nasa.gov/}, note = {NASA science overview: The Cosmological Constant.} }