Colliding Bubble Universes: Some scientists theorize that our universe is one of many bubble universes, with the potential to someday collide with another.
Big Rip Universe Expansion: In one end-time scenario, known as the "big rip", dark energy's continual growth leads to all of the universe tearing apart, beginning with galaxy clusters, galaxies, then stars and planets (like Earth), and finally the individual atoms and particles that make up matter itself.
Artist's rendition of the Orion Nebula, where stars are born.
