The universe is a vast expanse of space, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. However, what we see with our eyes or telescopes only accounts for small fraction of the total mass-energy in the universe. Scientists have discovered that there is something else out there – dark matter and dark energy.
What Is Dark Matter?
Dark matter is invisible substance that makes up about 85% of all matter in universe. It does not emit light or interact with electromagnetic radiation like visible matter does – hence its name “dark“. However , it interacts via gravitational forces & affects motion of objects around them .
Scientists first discovered evidence of this matter through observations made on galactic rotation curves– which showed stars moving faster than expected . The presence of additional mass from an unseen source was inferred to explain this observation.
Several theories exist as to what exactly constitutes this matter particles; they could be WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) Axions among others .However , despite intense research over decades no direct detection has been achieved yet .
What Is Dark Energy?
Dark energy refers to an unknown force that drives the accelerating expansion rate observed within our Universe. This acceleration means distant galaxies are moving away from us at increasingly fast rates over time – contrary to expectations if gravity were driving their movement alone.
While scientists know very little about this energy’s nature or origin,it is theorized that it contributes upto nearly 68% percent of all known energies in Universe .
Why Are They Important?
Though both dark energy & dark matter cannot be directly detected by humans yet ,their impact can still be felt indirectly by observing how they affect nearby celestial bodies’ movements such as galaxies& clusters ;which indicates they play significant roles in shaping our universe as we know it .
Understanding these two is essential to comprehend the Universe’s structure, formation, and evolution. By studying their effects on visible matter & celestial bodies , scientists can better understand how the cosmos works.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Dark Matter & Energy are still very much a mystery to us despite being such integral part of our Universe . These two phenomena have intrigued astronomers for decades; however ,new research continues to provide insights into their nature & mechanisms which will help us understand more about the functioning of our universe.
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