Is there a relationship between dark matter and anti-matter?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between dark matter and antimatter, specifically addressing the status of the MACHOs theory in light of recent observations. Participants confirm that the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations have effectively discounted the MACHOs theory, indicating that there is insufficient normal matter to account for dark matter phenomena. The conversation clarifies that antimatter and dark matter are fundamentally different, with antimatter possessing opposite electric charge properties, while dark matter remains electrically neutral.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations
  • Familiarity with dark matter theories, specifically WIMP and MACHOs
  • Basic knowledge of particle physics, particularly properties of matter and antimatter
  • Awareness of exoplanet discovery methods, such as micro-lensing
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations on dark matter theories
  • Explore the Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMP) theory in detail
  • Investigate the OGLE micro-lensing project and its findings on exoplanets
  • Study the properties and differences between matter and antimatter in particle physics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and anyone interested in the fundamental concepts of dark matter and antimatter, as well as those following advancements in cosmology and particle physics.

Dade Murphy
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Hello,
I've been reading articles about the OGLE micro-lensing project, which started out looking to find dark matter as 'massive compact objects,' but now seems to have had more success finding exoplanets. Searching the forums here I couldn't find much recent discussion about theories of this sort, but a lot about the WIMP theory, which I understand is the most popular. Is it safe to say that the MACHOs theory is pretty well abandoned?

Thanks for your time,
 
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As far as I know this theory is not as yet completely discounted, however the most recent observations of the contents of the Universe seem to suggest that there simply isn't enough density of invisible 'normal matter', such as neutron stars and brown dwarfs to account for dark matter phenomena.
 
Dade Murphy said:
Hello,
I've been reading articles about the OGLE micro-lensing project, which started out looking to find dark matter as 'massive compact objects,' but now seems to have had more success finding exoplanets. Searching the forums here I couldn't find much recent discussion about theories of this sort, but a lot about the WIMP theory, which I understand is the most popular. Is it safe to say that the MACHOs theory is pretty well abandoned?

Thanks for your time,
Yes. CMB observations put the nail in that coffin, as the CMB was emitted before any compact objects would have formed, and the signature of dark matter in the CMB itself is very clear.
 
Chalnoth said:
CMB observations put the nail in that coffin,
Ah, thanks for updating me on that, I didn't know that CMB had finally laid that one to rest.
 
isn't dark matter just reflective matter just anti matter?
 
dirty dan said:
isn't dark matter just reflective matter just anti matter?
No, antimatter is something completely different. It would be best to ask any followup questions in a new thread - but only after you've read some of the many dark-matter threads we already have.
 
dirty dan said:
isn't dark matter just reflective matter just anti matter?
Anti-matter has all of the exact same properties of normal matter, except that its electric charge is opposite*. Dark matter has no electric charge at all, hence why it is dark. There's no reason to believe that normal matter and anti-matter are related in any sort of simple sense. There is surely a relationship between them, but chances are it's pretty complicated. It certainly involves physics we don't yet know.

* There's also a parity difference, but that is rarely relevant, and doesn't change the overall nature of the argument here.
 

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