w < -1 can resolve the Hubble Tension, but eventually destroys the universe

The “Hubble Tension” has emerged as a serious issue in cosmology:  estimates of the expansion rate of the universe (the Hubble parameter) based on (a) models applied to early universe observations, and (b) local universe observations, now differ by more than 5 standard deviations.  There are many suggestions for possible solution; we investigate modifying the equation of state of dark energy, described by the parameter w.  For the currently accepted “cosmological constant,” w = -1.  We find that a value of -1.17 resolves the Hubble Tension – but at the cost of destroying the universe in a “Big Rip” in about 66 billion years. 

 

Graphs and details of general relativistic calculations are presented.