What Evidence Supports the Existence of Dark Matter?

Explore the compelling evidence that suggests dark matter's existence and its impact on the universe.

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Dark matter is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter, radiation, and the universe's large-scale structure. Observations such as galactic rotation curves show stars orbiting galaxies faster than expected if only visible matter existed. Additionally, gravitational lensing (light bending around massive objects) and the cosmic microwave background provide further evidence. Without dark matter, these observations cannot be adequately explained.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is dark matter and why is it important? Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit light or energy, making it invisible. It's crucial for explaining the gravitational effects observed in galaxies.
  2. How does gravitational lensing provide evidence for dark matter? Gravitational lensing occurs when light from distant objects is bent around massive cosmic objects, indicating the presence of unseen mass, which we attribute to dark matter.
  3. What are galactic rotation curves? Galactic rotation curves are graphs that show how fast stars orbit the center of galaxies. The speeds observed suggest more mass is present than can be seen, hinting at dark matter.