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The Most Precise Accounting Yet of Dark Energy and Dark Matter
Dark energy and dark matter are two of the most mysterious and elusive phenomena in the universe. Scientists have been studying them for decades, but they still don't fully understand what they are or how they work. However, a recent study has provided the most precise accounting yet of these two enigmatic substances. In this article, we will explore what dark energy and dark matter are, how they were discovered, and what the latest research tells us about them.
What is Dark Energy?
Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that is thought to permeate all of space. It is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. In other words, the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate, and dark energy is the force that is driving this expansion. Dark energy is thought to make up about 68% of the total energy density of the universe.
The Discovery of Dark Energy
The existence of dark energy was first proposed in the late 1990s, based on observations of distant supernovae. These observations showed that the expansion of the universe was accelerating, rather than slowing down as expected. This led scientists to hypothesize the existence of a mysterious force that was pushing the universe apart at an ever-increasing rate. This force was dubbed "dark energy" because it could not be directly observed.
The Latest Research on Dark Energy
The most recent study on dark energy was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Portsmouth in the UK. They used data from the Dark Energy Survey, a project that has been mapping the distribution of galaxies in the universe since 2013. The team analyzed the positions and velocities of over 2 million galaxies, and used this data to create a 3D map of the universe.
The results of the study confirmed the existence of dark energy and provided the most precise measurement yet of its properties. The researchers found that dark energy is consistent with the cosmological constant, a term first introduced by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity. This means that dark energy is a constant force that is evenly distributed throughout space.
What is Dark Matter?
Dark matter is another mysterious substance that is thought to make up about 27% of the total energy density of the universe. It is called "dark" because it does not interact with light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation. In other words, it is invisible to telescopes and other instruments that detect light.
The Discovery of Dark Matter
The existence of dark matter was first proposed in the 1930s, based on observations of the motion of galaxies. Astronomers noticed that the stars in galaxies were moving faster than they should be, based on the amount of visible matter in the galaxy. This led them to hypothesize the existence of a mysterious substance that was providing additional gravitational pull.
The Latest Research on Dark Matter
The most recent study on dark matter was also conducted by the University of Portsmouth team. They used the same data from the Dark Energy Survey to create a 3D map of the distribution of dark matter in the universe. The researchers found that dark matter is distributed in a web-like pattern, with dense regions connected by filaments.
The study also provided the most precise measurement yet of the properties of dark matter. The researchers found that dark matter is consistent with the "cold dark matter" model, which predicts that dark matter particles move slowly and clump together in dense regions.
Conclusion
Dark energy and dark matter are two of the most mysterious and elusive substances in the universe. However, the latest research has provided the most precise accounting yet of these enigmatic phenomena. The study conducted by the University of Portsmouth team confirms the existence of dark energy and dark matter, and provides new insights into their properties. While there is still much we don't know about these substances, this research brings us one step closer to understanding the fundamental nature of the universe.
FAQs
1. What is dark energy?
Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that is thought to permeate all of space. It is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.
2. What is dark matter?
Dark matter is a mysterious substance that is thought to make up about 27% of the total energy density of the universe. It is called "dark" because it does not interact with light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation.
3. How were dark energy and dark matter discovered?
Dark energy was first proposed in the late 1990s, based on observations of distant supernovae. Dark matter was first proposed in the 1930s, based on observations of the motion of galaxies.
4. What is the latest research on dark energy and dark matter?
The most recent study on dark energy and dark matter was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Portsmouth. They used data from the Dark Energy Survey to create a 3D map of the distribution of galaxies and dark matter in the universe. The study provided the most precise measurement yet of the properties of these enigmatic substances.
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