Short Wave The Invisible Substance That Structures Our Universe
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Jul 9, 2024 Dive into the fascinating world of dark matter, the invisible substance that shapes our universe. Discover how it constitutes most of the cosmos while remaining undetectable. Scientists discuss the indirect methods used to uncover its secrets, tracing its historical roots through remarkable discoveries by astronomers. Learn about the challenges faced in mapping its distribution and the new theories that challenge our understanding of the universe. Brace yourself for a journey into the unknown, probing the mysteries that lie beyond our visible reality.
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The Mystery of Dark Matter
- Dark matter makes up a significant portion of the universe, much more than visible matter.
- It's invisible because it doesn't interact with light, yet it's all around us.
Zwicky's Discovery
- Fritz Zwicky studied the Coma Cluster and noticed galaxies moved faster than expected.
- He proposed there was this "dark material" adding extra, unseen gravity.
Rubin's Confirmation
- Vera Rubin studied spiral galaxies and observed stars at the edges moving faster than expected.
- This further supported the idea of additional unseen mass, or dark matter.