Dark matter is a type of matter that does not emit or interact with light, making it invisible to telescopes and other traditional methods of observation. It is believed to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe and is thought to be responsible for the observed gravitational effects on visible matter.
Dark matter differs from regular matter in that it does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, and does not have an electric charge. It is also not made up of atoms or subatomic particles like protons and neutrons, which make up regular matter.
Dark matter cannot be directly detected due to its lack of interaction with light. Instead, scientists use indirect methods such as observing its gravitational effects on visible matter, studying the rotation of galaxies, and looking for signatures of dark matter in high-energy particle collisions.
Dark matter plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe because it helps explain the observed structure and behavior of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe. Without the presence of dark matter, our current theories and models of the universe would not be able to accurately explain these phenomena.
Some recommended introductory books on dark matter include "The Dark Side of the Universe" by Iain Nicolson, "Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs" by Lisa Randall, "Dark Matter: A Primer" by Katherine Freese, "The Hunt for Dark Matter: A History of Particle Physics, Dark Matter, and the Search for the Missing Universe" by Gordan Freeman, and "The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene.