  A web of interlocking observations has established that the expansion of the
Universe is speeding up and not slowing, revealing the presence of some form of
repulsive gravity. Within the context of general relativity the cause of cosmic
acceleration is a highly elastic (p\sim -rho), very smooth form of energy
called ``dark energy'' accounting for about 75% of the Universe. The
``simplest'' explanation for dark energy is the zero-point energy density
associated with the quantum vacuum; however, all estimates for its value are
many orders-of-magnitude too large. Other ideas for dark energy include a very
light scalar field or a tangled network of topological defects. An alternate
explanation invokes gravitational physics beyond general relativity.
Observations and experiments underway and more precise cosmological
measurements and laboratory experiments planned for the next decade will test
whether or not dark energy is the quantum energy of the vacuum or something
more exotic, and whether or not general relativity can self consistently
explain cosmic acceleration. Dark energy is the most conspicuous example of
physics beyond the standard model and perhaps the most profound mystery in all
of science.
