NASA's Curious Universe
Welcome to the Dark Side
Nov 7, 2023
Astrophysicists discuss the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy in the universe, exploring theories like black holes and weakly interacting massive particles. They highlight advancements in studying the dark side using space telescopes like Euclid and Roman, and the potential for astrophysics to be revolutionized with upcoming missions.
25:20
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Quick takeaways
- Dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of the universe, are still poorly understood and are challenging scientists to reconsider what we think we know about the universe.
- There are two competing theories about the nature of dark matter: massive compact halo objects (MACHOs) and weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), and ongoing observations from telescopes like Euclid and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will provide valuable data to help unravel the mysteries surrounding dark matter.
Deep dives
Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe
Dark matter and dark energy make up 95% of the universe and are still poorly understood. Dark matter, which makes up about 25% of the universe's mass, is detected indirectly through its gravitational effects. It was first hypothesized in the late 1800s and confirmed in the 1960s. Dark energy, on the other hand, makes up about 70% of the universe and is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. Despite their mysterious nature, astronomers have developed techniques like gravitational lensing to indirectly observe and measure dark matter and dark energy.
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