The equilibrium distance would be greater than it would be without the dark energy, but the equilibrium distance will not change with time (unless the strength of the dark energy changes with time). So if you use it as a ruler, you’d still see a cosmological expansion compared to it.
:smack:
Yeah, did not think that all the way through.
After the second reading of all these posts, I’ve gleaned a lot of the information I was looking for. Of course, a lot more kinda wooshed over my head! Thanks again for all the responses. 