" In Caldwell's scenario, the universe will last about 20 billion more years. Sixty million years before the end, dark energy will cause the Milky Way galaxy to fly apart. Three months before the end solar systems will break down, flinging planets helter-skelter. Finally, at a tiny fraction of a second before the end of everything, dark energy will be so great that it will overcome the powerful forces that hold matter together, throwing apart atoms. Kablooie! "