Searching for Dark Energy, Dark Matter & Gravitational Radiation

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the current status of research into dark matter, dark energy, and gravitational radiation. Participants explore the challenges of detection and the implications of ongoing experiments, focusing on theoretical and experimental aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that there has been no direct detection of dark matter, dark energy, or gravitational radiation, suggesting they remain conjectural.
  • One participant mentions a recent experiment that may have detected dark matter, but emphasizes the need for further investigation and data.
  • Another participant acknowledges advancements in dark matter detection but states that conclusive evidence is still lacking, particularly for dark energy.
  • There is speculation about the implications of continued non-detection of dark matter for the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) model, with differing opinions on whether this would undermine the model significantly.
  • Concerns are raised about the challenges of directly detecting dark energy, with some participants suggesting that upcoming surveys may provide indirect confirmation of its effects.
  • Discussion includes expectations regarding gravitational waves, with one participant expressing confidence that detections should occur if advanced LIGO operates as designed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism regarding the detection of dark matter, dark energy, and gravitational radiation. There is no consensus on the implications of continued non-detection for the LCDM model, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the future of these research areas.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of current experiments and the theoretical challenges associated with detecting dark energy. There is an acknowledgment of the dependence on experimental outcomes and the evolving nature of the research.

wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
Messages
4,411
Reaction score
551
How is the search for dark matter, dark energy and gravitational radiation going, as far as i can make
out there has been no direct detection and they remain conjectures
 
Last edited:
Space news on Phys.org
wolram said:
How is the search for dark matter, dark energy and gravitational radiation going, as far as i can make
out there has been no direct detection and they remain conjectures

There has been in the news just the last week or so an experiment that MAY have detected dark matter ... there's a thread on it somewhere here ... try a forum search for some thing like "dark matter found"
 
There have been recent advancements in detecting dark matter. From two different sources. However there's still not enough data to say. Yes we found dark matter.
Not much in detecting dark energy.
By gravitational radiation I am assuming you mean gravity waves. If that's the case then there's been nothing conclusive.

So essentially nothing conclusive to all 3
 
So if the experiment is run for another 2 yrs without detection, would that be a nail in the LCDM coffin?
 
wolram said:
So if the experiment is run for another 2 yrs without detection, would that be a nail in the LCDM coffin?

I'm fairly sure not. It's a bit of a matter of opinion at some point, but I think there's quite a bit of room to lower the cross-section for WIMPs before people start abandoning them altogether.

As for DE, I don't know of any experiment we are seriously pursing for direct detection. The nature of the phenomenon simply doesn't lend itself to easy access. We will very likely confirm the acceleration curves with DES and LSST, and this may provide some interesting data regarding the dark energy equation of state. But regarding direct detection...

Gravitational waves we should see within the next few years. If advanced LIGO turns on, manages to hit their design sensitivity, and runs for even a year or two without making a detection it will be EXTREMELY odd. All signs point to them making detections very roughly on the order of /week/month/day at their design sensitivity.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
895
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K