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- Dark matter makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe.
- It is called “dark” because it does not interact with light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation.
- Dark matter is a hypothetical substance that is thought to exist based on its gravitational effects on visible matter.
- It was first proposed in the 1930s by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky.
- The existence of dark matter is necessary to explain the observed rotation curves of galaxies and the distribution of mass in galaxy clusters.
- Dark matter is not made up of atoms, as we know them.
- The most widely accepted theory is that dark matter is made up of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs).
- WIMPs are particles that interact with the weak nuclear force and gravity, but not with the electromagnetic force.
- Scientists have not yet been able to detect or observe dark matter directly.
- Dark matter has been detected indirectly through its gravitational effects on visible matter.
- The search for dark matter is one of the most active areas of research in astrophysics and particle physics.
- The Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland is currently searching for evidence of WIMPs.
- Dark matter may be composed of exotic particles such as axions or sterile neutrinos.
- Some scientists have suggested that dark matter could be made up of primordial black holes.
- Dark matter is not evenly distributed throughout the universe, but instead forms “clumps” around galaxies and galaxy clusters.
- Dark matter may have played a role in the formation of the first galaxies in the universe.
- The first evidence for dark matter came from observations of the Coma galaxy cluster in the 1930s.
- Dark matter may be responsible for the formation of the large-scale structure of the universe.
- Dark matter may have helped to shape the cosmic microwave background radiation.
- Some scientists have suggested that dark matter may be responsible for periodic mass extinctions on Earth.
- The density of dark matter in the universe is estimated to be about 5 times that of visible matter.
- Dark matter may be distributed in a “halo” around galaxies.
- Dark matter particles may be moving at speeds of several hundred kilometers per second.
- The gravitational lensing effect of dark matter can distort the appearance of distant galaxies.
- The first direct detection of dark matter may come from the observation of collisions between dark matter particles in underground detectors.
- Dark matter may be responsible for the observed excess of gamma rays coming from the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
- The properties of dark matter may vary depending on the temperature and density of the universe.
- Dark matter may have played a role in the formation of the first stars in the universe.
- Dark matter may be responsible for the existence of supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies.
- Dark matter may interact with itself through the weak nuclear force, leading to the formation of dark matter “halos” around galaxies.
- The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, currently under construction in Chile, may be able to detect new forms of dark matter.
- Dark matter may have played a role in the formation of the first black holes in the universe.
- Dark matter may have a complex internal structure.
- The existence of dark matter is consistent with observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation.
- The properties of dark matter may have been imprinted on the universe during the inflationary period shortly after the Big Bang.
- The total mass of dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy is estimated to be about 6 times that of visible matter.
