Babbage from The Economist

Babbage: The hunt for dark matter

Feb 21, 2024
Scientists are on the hunt for elusive dark matter, using cutting-edge tools and techniques to detect this mysterious substance. With no luck so far, they explore new ideas and technologies at a recent scientific meeting. Will they finally uncover the secrets of dark matter and its profound impact on the universe?
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INSIGHT

Dark Matter's Role

  • Dark matter is a theoretical concept to explain astronomical discrepancies.
  • It addresses why galaxies rotate faster and stay bound together than predicted by physics.
INSIGHT

Dark Matter Abundance

  • There is about five times more dark matter than ordinary matter in the universe.
  • Astronomical observations suggest its significant gravitational influence.
ANECDOTE

Galactic Center Signal

  • Early Fermi LAT data hinted at an excess gamma-ray signal from the galactic center, possibly from dark matter.
  • However, it could also be from millisecond pulsars, making the source unclear.
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