Dark Matter Introduction
Contrary to visible matter, dark matter doesn't emit, absorb, or reflect light. It's detected through gravitational effects on visible matter, radiation, and the structure of the universe.
Invisible Mass Evidence
Evidence for dark matter arose from galaxy rotation curves. In the 1970s, Vera Rubin observed that stars' velocities at a galaxy's edge don't drop as expected with Keplerian decay.
Dark Matter Candidates
Potential dark matter particles include WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) and axions. These hypothetical particles would rarely interact with ordinary matter, making them nearly impossible to detect.
Cosmic Microwave Background
The CMB's uniformity suggests dark matter's role in early universe structure formation. Dark matter acted as a framework for baryonic matter to form galaxies and clusters.
Dark Energy Mystery
Dark energy, comprising about 68% of the universe, accelerates cosmic expansion. Its nature remains unknown, but it's theorized to be a property of space itself.
Dark Energy's Repulsive Force
Unlike gravity, dark energy exerts a repulsive force, pushing galaxies apart. This revelation from the late 1990s upended the belief that gravity would eventually halt the universe's expansion.
Future Observations
Upcoming telescopes like the Euclid spacecraft and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory aim to unveil dark matter and energy secrets, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos.
What doesn't dark matter do?
Emits and absorbs light
Reflects light
Emit, absorb, reflect light
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