Dark Matter: An Ongoing Quest
Dark Matter: An Ongoing Quest Dark matter is a mysterious, non-luminous substance believed to constitute approximately 85% of the matter in the universe and about 27% of its total mass-energy density. Unlike ordinary matter, which makes up stars, planets, and us, dark matter does not appear to interact with the electromagnetic force – meaning it doesn't absorb, reflect, or emit light – making it incredibly difficult to observe directly. Its existence is primarily inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter and the large-scale structure of the universe. Evidence for Dark Matter Numerous astronomical observations point to the presence of a significant amount of unseen mass: Galaxy Rotation Curves: Stars in the outer regions of spiral galaxies orbit much faster than they woul...