Dark Matter and Energy

In our universe, physicists have uncovered that there are 3 main constituents that are present: regular matter, like you and I, dark matter, and dark energy. We also know that regular matter is the smallest of the 3 constituents making up only 5% of the universe's total mass. Dark matter, so far as we know, makes up about 25% of the universe's mass and finally dark energy makes up the remaining 70%. The 5% that is us, regular matter, was created during the big bang and has been moving throughout space-time for almost 14 billion years. This matter is the stuff we can see, touch, hear, and otherwise interact with. It is clear where this matter comes from, however it is not clear what the other 95% of the universe is or where it came from.

Dark energy is assumed to be the substance responsible for the universe's current accelerating expansion. It has also been referred to as the cosmological constant, which was part of Albert Einstein's equations of general relativity to make his universe static. In our universe, dark energy drives its expansion.

Dark matter is even more mysterious. Dark matter can only be observed through its affect on other matter, and through its gravitational influence. We can see this influence in galaxy clusters, and even in galaxy rotation. In galaxy clusters, individual galaxies are drawn together by their own gravity, but this does not account for all the mass present. The way specific galaxy clusters interact show that more mass is there holding them together, which is there in the form of dark matter. This dark matter provides the extra mass needed to hold clusters together. In galaxies there is the same problem of missing mass, which is seen in the rotational speed of a galaxy. In many galaxies, the rotational speed is much higher than it should be based on the mass of the galaxy. Dark matter provides the extra mass needed to explain the rotational speed. Dark matter can also be observed by its ability to skew light passing threw space-time.

Dark matter and energy are some of the most unknown, exotic and remarkable substances in the universe, but we still know little about them. What I have discussed today just touches the surface of these substances, and soon I will talk about my theories of where they came from