Universe is expanding up to 9% faster than we thought, say scientists

Measurements taken by Hubble space telescope conflict with studies of radiation left over from Big Bang - fuelling theories of 'dark energy' and mystery particles

The universe is expanding faster than anyone had previously measured or calculated from theory. This is a discovery that could test part of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, a pillar of cosmology that has withstood challenges for a century.

Nasa and the European Space Agency jointly announced the universe is expanding 5% to 9% faster than predicted, a finding they reached after using the Hubble space telescope to measure the distance to stars in 19 galaxies beyond theMilky Way.