The Stream

What can scientists learn from the universe’s ‘dark’ side?

Scientists are still trying to find direct evidence of dark matter and dark energy.

Understanding the world of “dark” particles could be the key to explaining the origins and structure of the universe.

But after decades of research, scientists have yet to find direct evidence of the so-called “dark sector” – where an unknown matter exhibits gravitational force but cannot otherwise be detected. It is one the biggest mysteries in physics, and though invisible, the dark sector is believed to make up about 96 percent of the universe.

The idea of dark matter developed after astronomer Vera Rubin observed that galaxies rotate in a way that contradicts the laws of motion and gravity. This led scientists to believe that there is an unseen matter interacting with gravity.

In addition to monitoring outer space for dark matter interactions, physicists are attempting to crate dark matter particles in the lab. In this episode, we’ll speak to scientists trying to answer one of the universe’s biggest questions.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Alexandra Amon @astroalexamon
Astrophysicist and observational cosmologist
amonalexandra.wixsite.com

Stephon Alexander @stephstem
Theoretical Cosmologist, Brown University
stephonalexander.org

Katie Mack @AstroKatie
Theoretical Astrophysicist
astrokatie.com

Mauro Raggi @INFN_
Researcher, Sapienza University and National Institute of Nuclear Physics of Rome
infn.it

Read more:
Scientists hunt mysterious ‘dark force’ to explain hidden realm of the cosmos – Guardian
Voyage into the dark sector – Symmetry

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