Canberra-based astrophysicist-cosmologist Brad Tucker said scientists would know the preliminary answers to the age-old question within about 12 months.

Dr Tucker said they would have detailed and definitive answers within three to four years.

“The Universe is going to end at some point whether we like it or not; the Universe is growing so fast that at some point it’s going to rip itself apart,” Dr Tucker said.

Dr Tucker, a Research Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics Mount Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University, will explore this theme in his lecture Exploding Stars, Dark Energy and The End of the Universe in Wodonga on Wednesday.

Dr Tucker said 99.5 per cent of the material the universe was made up of was not even on the periodic table of elements.

“There is so much we don’t know about the makeup of the Universe,” he said.

“But 70 per cent of what the Universe is made up of is contained in Dark Energy, which is what I’m looking at in supernovae and cosmology.”

Dr Tucker is working on projects trying to discover the true nature of Dark Energy, the mysterious substance causing the accelerating expansion of the Universe.  

The American-born scientist completed Bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Philosophy and Theology from the University of Notre Dame.

“I went to uni to study to become a priest and found out it wasn’t for me,” he said. 

He has developed a series of astronomy coins with the Royal Australian Mint, consulted on science fiction movies, advised on astronomy-themed art projects and has been featured on the National Geographic Channel.

Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga president David Thurley said Dr Tucker’s lecture followed the talk on the Border by Nobel Prize Laureate Brian Schmidt three years ago on Dark Energy and Dark Matter.

Dr Tucker’s free seminar will be held at La Trobe University on Wednesday from 7pm.