Dark matter is a type of matter that cannot be seen or detected by traditional means, such as telescopes or other instruments. It is believed to make up about 85% of all matter in the universe and is responsible for the gravitational forces that hold galaxies together.
Dark matter was first proposed by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky in the 1930s. He observed that the mass of galaxies was much greater than what could be accounted for by the visible matter. Since then, scientists have used various techniques such as gravitational lensing and galaxy rotation curves to study and indirectly detect dark matter.
The main difference between dark matter and regular matter is that dark matter does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible. It also does not have the same chemical properties as regular matter, and its exact composition is still unknown.
While we have evidence of its existence, the exact nature of dark matter is still unknown. Scientists have proposed various theories, such as the existence of new particles or modifications to the laws of gravity, but none have been fully proven. The study of dark matter is ongoing and is a subject of intense research in the fields of astrophysics and particle physics.
Dark matter plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe. Without its gravitational effects, galaxies would not be able to hold together, and the universe would look very different. It also helps explain the large-scale structure of the universe and the distribution of galaxies. Additionally, the study of dark matter can potentially lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of fundamental physics and the origins of the universe.