'Cyclic universe' can explain cosmological constant

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scott1
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A cyclic universe, which bounces through a series of big bangs and "big crunches", could solve the puzzle of our cosmological constant, physicists suggest.

The cosmological constant represents the energy of empty space, and is thought to be the most likely explanation for the observed speeding up of the expansion of the universe. But its measured value is a googol (1 followed by 100 zeroes) times smaller than that predicted by particle physics theories. It is a discrepancy that gives cosmologists a real headache.
http://www.newscientistspace.com/ar...verse-can-explain-cosmological-constant.html"
I thought Einstein abondend the cosmological constant after they found out the uninverse is expanding. Why are they interestead in it again?
 
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Yea and I thought the big crunch theory is the less likely scenario for the end of the universe since the theory postulates that the average density of the universe is enough to stop its expansion and begin contracting. Recent studies show the average density of the universe is not enough to stop expansion for contraction.

I thought perhaps the Big Freeze and Big Rip are more likely scenarios.
 
Oh yea and there is also the heat death scenario.

Since evidence points to the universe expanding infinitely, the big crunch scenario is least likely.