Ever wonder what's truly holding our universe together? That's where dark matter kicks in. It's invisible stuff that we can't see or touch, but it makes up about 27% of the universe’s mass. Scientists only know it exists because of the way it affects galaxies and light. Without dark matter, stars in galaxies would fly apart instead of sticking together. Imagine it like the invisible glue of the cosmos.
Detecting dark matter isn’t easy since it doesn’t emit or absorb light. Instead, researchers spot its effects. For example, when they look at how galaxies spin or how light bends around massive objects in space, things just don’t add up without it. Galaxies spin faster than their visible mass should allow, which means something extra—dark matter—is supplying the gravity needed to keep them intact.
Scientists have been chasing dark matter for decades but still haven't caught a direct glimpse. That’s because it doesn’t interact with normal matter the way light or regular particles do. It’s like trying to catch a ghost with your hands. There are many theories about what dark matter might be made of—some think it could be exotic particles that don’t fit into the usual physics rules. Experiments around the world are trying to detect these particles but so far, it’s all proof by effects, not direct observation.
So why should you care about dark matter? Well, it shapes how galaxies form and evolve, and understanding it could unlock secrets about the universe's past and future. Plus, all this mystery adds a bit of spice to astronomy—there’s still so much to learn out there. Keeping an eye on new discoveries could mean you’re in on the next big breakthrough in space science.
If you’re curious about the cosmos, dark matter is a perfect topic to follow. It reminds us that the universe is a lot stranger and more fascinating than it looks at first glance.
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Siseko Tapile
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The Apple TV+ series 'Dark Matter' creatively diverges from Blake Crouch's novel, yet still connects through a shared multiverse narrative. This connectivity is explored by examining subtle and major changes to the original story.
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