What is Dark Matter, the scariest thing in space that no has ever seen
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Definition and Invisibility
Dark matter makes up over 80% of all matter in the universe. It is invisible, emitting no light or energy, and cannot be detected by conventional sensors.
Credit : NASA
Assumption of Existence
The existence of dark matter is inferred from the behavior of stars, planets, and galaxies, which cannot be explained by visible matter alone.
Composition Speculation
Dark matter could be baryonic (made of protons, neutrons, and electrons) or non-baryonic (composed of different types of particles). Most scientists believe it is non-baryonic.
Candidate Particles
Leading candidates for dark matter particles include WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles), neutralinos, and sterile neutrinos. Other potential candidates are axions and photinos.
Antimatter Distinction
Antimatter, composed of particles like antiprotons and positrons with opposite electrical charges to normal matter, is different from dark matter. Antimatter can be manufactured in laboratories, unlike dark matter.
Expert Insight
According to Glenn Starkman, a physics and astronomy professor, the existence of dark matter is suggested by the motion of galaxies, which requires more matter than is visible to explain their gravitational forces.
Evidence for Dark Matter
Observations of galaxies and galaxy clusters, along with studies of the cosmic microwave background radiation, support the existence of dark matter, as these phenomena cannot be fully explained by visible matter alone.
Dark Matter Research
Scientists use various methods to search for dark matter, including deep underground detectors and particle colliders. Experiments like those conducted by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the ISS are ongoing.
Future Exploration
Missions like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and ESA’s Euclid mission aim to provide further insights into dark matter by studying the distribution and evolution of galaxies in the universe.