Physical implications of the cosmological constant

The contribution of the quantum vacuum to the energy-momentum stress tensor in Einstein's field equations is very large. The observed cosmos is not in agreement with such a large term; thus, we require the presence of a cosmological constant to cancel this term. We discuss why this constant cannot originate from a quantum field or the gravitational field. We propose that this constant is physical evidence of the structure of space. The physical structure of space gives space an existence independent of the existence of matter and radiation.