Dark matter remains a mystery in astrophysics from "summary" of La vita del cosmo by Lee Smolin
Dark matter is one of the most puzzling aspects of modern astrophysics. Despite decades of research and observation, scientists have yet to uncover its true nature. This enigmatic substance does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to traditional telescopes. As a result, dark matter can only be detected through its gravitational effects on visible matter.
The presence of dark matter is inferred from its gravitational influence on galaxies and galaxy clusters. Without dark matter, these cosmic structures would not have enough mass to hold together, given the speeds at which they rotate. The mysterious substance seems to make up about 27% of the total mass and energy content of the universe, with ordinary matter (the stuff we can see) accounting for only about 5%.
Various theories have been proposed to explain the nature of dark matter, but none have been definitively proven. Some suggest that dark matter consists of exotic particles that do not interact with electromagnetic forces, while others propose modifications to our understanding of gravity on large scales. Despite these efforts, the true identity of dark matter remains elusive.
The search for dark matter continues through a variety of experimental approaches, including underground detectors, particle accelerators, and astrophysical observations. Researchers hope that by studying the behavior of dark matter in different contexts, they can finally unravel the mystery of its composition and properties. Until then, dark matter will remain a tantalizing puzzle at the frontier of astrophysics, challenging our understanding of the universe and the forces that govern it.
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