For decades, scientists have been puzzled by dark matter, an invisible form of mass believed to make up 85% of the material in the universe and around 25% of its energy. Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not absorb or emit light, making it completely “dark” and detectable only through its gravitational effects. Researchers believe it is responsible for holding galaxies together, explaining their shapes, distributions, and movements.
Despite being invisible, scientists have narrowed down several theories about what this mysterious substance might be. One leading idea is that Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) or axions—hypothetical particles that interact very weakly with normal matter—could explain dark matter’s strange behavior. If proven, these particles could provide answers to one of the greatest mysteries in astrophysics.
Another possibility is that dark matter might not be exotic particles at all, but Massive Astrophysical Compact Halo Objects (MACHOs), such as heavy, dim celestial bodies that don’t emit enough light to be detected. However, evidence suggests there aren’t enough MACHOs to explain dark matter’s full presence in the cosmos.
There’s also a slim chance that our entire understanding of gravity and physics might be flawed, meaning dark matter might not exist at all. Scientists continue to test Einstein’s general relativity to find discrepancies that could rewrite cosmic science.
As experts race to solve this cosmic puzzle, dark matter remains one of the most fascinating mysteries of the universe.
