Observational data suggest dark matter constitutes around 85% of the universe’s mass. Scientists have discovered that the majority of the universe’s mass is made up of dark matter, a mysterious substance that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light. While invisible, its presence is detected through its gravitational effects on galaxies and galaxy clusters.
Observations show that galaxies rotate faster than expected, and the cosmic web structure of the universe suggests there is far more mass than what we can see in stars, planets, and gas clouds. This missing mass is what scientists call dark matter, making up about 85% of the universe’s total mass.
Despite knowing its effects, dark matter has never been directly observed, and its exact nature remains unknown. Scientists propose that it could be made of yet-undiscovered particles that interact only through gravity and possibly weak nuclear forces.
Ongoing research, including deep-space observations and underground particle detectors, aims to uncover what dark matter is and how it fits into the fundamental laws of physics. While it makes up most of the universe’s mass, its true nature remains one of science’s greatest mysteries.
