“What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean,” Quote by Isaac Newton
We interact with objects in the universe that emit light at visible range. Have you ever imagined that the rest of the universe may be made of invisible substances that are not perceived by our profound senses and such mysterious matter called dark matter? The universe that is visible to us, including our Earth, the sun, and other stars that reside in different galaxies, is made of atoms, which are constructed through sub-atomic particles such as neutrons, protons, and electrons.
In other words, everything that we can see in the universe is generally made of normal matter, but it comprises about 5 percent of the total universe. Therefore, what about the rest of the universe that we are not able to see or interact with?
This has elevated the eagerness of scientists to study matter that, unlike ordinary matter, does not absorb, reflect, and radiate light, and hence the notion of dark matter comes into existence. As of now, scientists have not yet provided conclusive evidence regarding the presence of dark matter as it does not interact with normal matter, and it is completely invisible to different sorts of electromagnetic radiation, making it almost impossible to detect with contemporary tools and technologies.
However, many scientists are confident about the presence of dark matter since gravitational effects that are induced by galaxy clusters and galaxies may be a strong indicator of the existence of this form of matter. The space agencies that explore the universe highlight that galaxies that are rotating at extraordinary speed and the gravitational force that holds them together might not be possible for any normal matter. This notion propelled scientists to think about the presence of matter that may provide extra mass to galaxies besides producing a strong gravitational force that holds galaxies together. Dark matter that is not visible to us may surround the answer to this mind-blowing mystery of the universe.
What is Dark Matter?
As we know, dark matter does not interact with light and electromagnetic force; hence, it does not reflect or emit and absorb light, making it very difficult to detect its presence. Scientists who tend to figure out the existence of dark matter have been able to deduce the presence of this form of matter by analyzing gravitational effects that hold galaxies that reside far distance from our planet. Hence, one of the biggest questions arises about what drives scientists to decipher the evidence of dark matter?
The presence of dark matter was theorized around 80 years ago when well-known astronomer Fritz Zwicky identified that galaxies that reside within the Coma cluster were moving at a considerable pace that is enough for thrown away into space, but as of now, they endured hold to the cluster by matter that is not visible.
This has increased the likelihood of the presence of mysterious dark matter that makes up around 85 percent of the total mass of the universe or around 30 per cent of the combined mass energy of the universe. As per the current understanding, no one exactly provides any conclusive evidence of this type of matter; however many theories suggest that it comprises unknown particles that may not interact with normal matter. Concerning this specific aspect, many scientists believe that dark matter might be comprised of strange subatomic particles that were produced when the universe was in its early phase. These particles may include axions and neutrinos.
Why did Dark matter remain one of the Greatest Mysteries of the Universe?
As of now, there is a lack of clear evidence that can support the existence of mysterious dark matter. Therefore, it has remained one of the biggest mysteries of the universe, attracting scientists and cosmologists around the globe to find out the presence of this kind of matter that occupies a significant portion of the matter of the Universe, which is over 80 percent. However, various mysterious phenomena may elevate the understanding of the presence of dark matter in our observable universe. Dark matter may explain certain optical illusions that scientists visualize in space.
For instance, photos of galaxies that may consist of strange rings may be explained if any light source from distant galaxies is distorted by the invisible form of matter, which is widely known as gravitational lensing.
It has been noted that Galaxy clusters generally contain hundreds or even thousands of galaxies, which are bounded by their strong gravitational forces, and it may occur due to the presence of dark matter. This may influence how they move inside galaxy clusters, and this could provide an opportunity for astronomers to evaluate how much invisible mass resides in such clusters by the movement of the visible smaller objects.
Apart from that, gravitational effects that distort light, which is called gravitational lensing, maybe a strong indicator of the presence of dark matter. The immense gravity of all the materials that wraps space around galaxy clusters causes light from stellar objects located behind it to be magnified and it may be caused due to the existence of dark matter.
FAQ
1. What is dark matter?
Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 85% of the total matter in the universe. It doesn’t interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to our telescopes. Its existence is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter.
2. How do scientists know dark matter exists?
Scientists have observed several phenomena that cannot be explained by visible matter alone. For instance, galaxies rotate faster than they should, based on the amount of visible matter they contain. This suggests the presence of additional, unseen mass, which we call dark matter.
3. What could dark matter be made of?
The exact nature of dark matter remains unknown. However, scientists have proposed several theories, including:
Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs):
These are hypothetical particles that interact very weakly with ordinary matter.
Axions
These are lightweight particles that may have been produced in the early universe.
Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND):
This theory suggests that gravity behaves differently on large scales, eliminating the need for dark matter.
4. Why is dark matter important?
Understanding dark matter is crucial to our understanding of the universe’s structure, formation, and future evolution. It could also have implications for fundamental physics, such as the nature of gravity and the search for a unified theory of everything.
5. How are scientists trying to detect dark matter?
Scientists are using a variety of methods to detect dark matter, including:
Direct detection experiments:
These experiments aim to detect dark matter particles as they interact with ordinary matter in underground detectors.
Indirect detection experiments:
These experiments look for the products of dark matter annihilation, such as gamma rays or neutrinos.
Particle accelerators:
Scientists are using particle accelerators to create dark matter particles in the lab.
6. Is dark matter dangerous?
There is no evidence to suggest that dark matter is dangerous. It does not interact with ordinary matter in any harmful way.
7. Could dark matter be related to dark energy?
Dark matter and dark energy are two different phenomena. Dark matter is a form of matter that interacts gravitationally with other matter. Dark energy, on the other hand, is a mysterious force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe.
8. Could dark matter be explained by a modification of gravity?
While modified gravity theories can explain some of the observed effects of dark matter, they often have difficulties explaining other observations, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation and the large-scale structure of the universe.
9. What are the challenges in studying dark matter?
The main challenge in studying dark matter is its elusive nature. It does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it difficult to detect and study.
10. What is the future of dark matter research?
The future of dark matter research is promising. With ongoing experiments and theoretical advancements, scientists are hopeful that we will eventually unravel the mystery of dark matter and gain a deeper understanding of the universe.
