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What is Dark Matter & Dark Energy?

How can matter be “dark”? One of the greatest scientific mysteries is dark matter. Scientists and astrophysicists worldwide are trying every possible experiment to determine the details of dark matter and be the first ones to publish a research paper on dark matter. But, what exactly are they trying to research? 


To understand dark matter, we must understand matter. Matter can be defined as anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter is the building block of the world as everything that can be observed in the universe, from people to planets, is made up of matter. Through extensive research, it was found that visible matter only makes up 5% of the universe. Two mysterious substances affect and shape the cosmos (NASA).


Mathematical Spilt of the universe

Visible Matter is what we can observe. We can view it with visible light, either with our eyes or a telescope which can detect other types of light we cannot see (ultraviolet, infrared). This matter is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which are the three atomic particles. There are 4 states of matter, including solid, liquid, gas, and plasma of charged particles. This type of matter makes up only 5% of our universe, while it is everywhere around us on Earth (NASA). 


Dark Matter, similar to visible matter, takes up space and has mass. However, the difference between the two types of matter is that dark matter does not reflect, radiate, or absorb light, at least not enough for detection (it does not interact with electromagnetic force). This makes it extremely hard to spot. One of the only reasons scientists know of its existence is through examining its impacts on visible matter (NASA).


Although it makes up 27% of the universe, scientists are not sure what dark matter really is. There are theories of dark matter consisting of unidentified particles that rarely interact with visible matter. 


One theory recognizes dark matter as a vast, web-like structure winding through the entire universe. One thing they know for sure is that dark matter does not consist of normal atomic particles; what they are is still a mystery (NASA).


Dark Energy currently exists to explain the phenomenon of the expanding and accelerating universe. Dark energy makes up most of the universe (68%), however, scientists know about it even less than dark matter. In addition, it is hypothesized that dark energy has an even distribution, which means it does not have any local gravitational effects, rather it has a global effect on the universe as a whole (NASA). 


In the 1920s, it was found, through observations of the explosion of a distant star called supernovae, that the universe is expanding faster now than it did in the past. The exact reason is unclear, however, there are theories about the universe containing something that has a repulsive gravitational effect (it pushes the universe apart instead of pulling it back together). Scientists named this phenomenon dark energy


Examples of Ongoing Experiments - Dark Matter


Large Hadron Collider (LHC)


The LHC is the most powerful particle accelerator ever made. It’s located in Switzerland 100 meters underground. Its main goal is to push protons and/or ions to near the speed of light. By looking for missing energy in particle collisions, the LHC also searches for dark matter. This helps search for dark matter because missing energy could indicate the production of dark matter particles (CERN).


One part of the LHC

Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS)


This facility is yet to be created and will be situated in Sudbury, Canada. This experiment uses cooled germanium and silicon detectors to capture extremely low-energy interactions between dark matter particles and atomic nuclei. SuperCDMS measures both the heat and ionization signals from each interaction to differentiate potential dark matter events from other background interactions (“Experiment Overview | Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search”).


Model of the SuperCDMS Experiment

In summary, along with these experiments, there are lots of other experiments in different countries where the search for dark matter particles is extensive. People make careers out of dark matter experimentation. Understanding dark matter is very important to astrophysics as it can reveal so much information about the cosmos and the universe.


Examples of Ongoing Experiments - Dark Energy


Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)


This experiment relies on the accurate mapping of the spatial distribution of galaxies and quasars (highly lit gas spiral in the center of galaxies). Its main goal is to gather data on how dark energy influences the large-scale structure of the universe, especially its rate of expansion. The gathering of data occurs through an observation of shapes, colors, light, and galaxies (“Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)”). 


Side view of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument

Euclid Space Telescope


In 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched this telescope into orbit. The Euclid Space Telescope is designed to map the structure of the universe over time. It measures galaxy clustering and gravitational lensing to provide insight into dark energy. It sends back data which can be used to study the impact of dark energy on the evolution of cosmic substances and objects (“Euclid”). 


An edited model of the Euclid Space Telescope by the ESA

Final Notes


In conclusion, dark matter and dark energy are two of the most mysterious substances of the universe. Scientists and astrophysicists are creating lots of different experimental techniques to determine the different types of dark matter particles and how those impact the universe as a whole. This blog shows four of the current and future planned experiments based on dark matter and dark energy, however, there are many, many more different types of experiments. As technological advancements are increasing throughout the world, more and more information about the universe (one of the biggest mysteries to humans) is coming out and shocking the world. 


Written By: Krisha L


 

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