Dark Matter & Dark Energy - NASA Science
Matter is defined as any substance that has mass and occupies space. But there’s more to the universe than the matter we can see. Dark matter and dark energy are mysterious substances that affect and shape the cosmos, and scientists are still trying to figure them out. Learn more.
What is Dark Energy? Inside our accelerating, expanding Universe
Feb 5, 2024 · Right now, dark energy is just the name that astronomers gave to the mysterious "something" that is causing the universe to expand at an accelerated rate. Dark energy has been described by some as having the effect of a negative pressure that is pushing space outward.
Shining a Light on Dark Matter - NASA Science
The invisible form of matter, called dark matter, makes up roughly 30% of the universe’s total mass. Its gravity drives normal matter (gas and dust) to collect and build up into stars, galaxies, and massive galaxy clusters.
Dark Energy Changes the Universe - Science@NASA
Feb 27, 2004 · Hubble observations suggest the dark energy may be Einstein's cosmological constant, an energy percolating out of the vacuum of the space between galaxies. The energy of the universe is dominated by empty space emitting …
Hubble Dark Energy - Science@NASA
Hubble made the key observations that led to the discovery of dark energy. Astronomers looked at a special kind of supernovae, called Type 1a, that give off a set amount of light when a certain type of star explodes.
Building Blocks - NASA Science
Dark matter and dark energy are mysterious substances that affect and shape the cosmos, and scientists are still trying to figure them out. The universe is made up of three components: normal or visible matter (5%), dark matter (27%), and dark energy (68%).
Dark Matter - Science@NASA
Dark matter provides the surplus gravity. Scientists have confirmed earlier observations by measuring how much matter in the very early universe is “normal” and how much is “dark” using experiments like NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP).
Mystery of Galaxy’s Missing Dark Matter Deepens - Science@NASA
Jun 17, 2021 · When astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope uncovered an oddball galaxy that looked like it didn’t have much dark matter, some thought the finding was hard to believe and looked for a simpler explanation.
Dark Matter - Science@NASA
We call this substance dark matter, an invisible form of matter that doesn’t emit, absorb or reflect light, or interact with normal matter. It’s theorized to make up 85 percent of the universe’s total mass, or almost 30 percent of the universe’s combined mass-energy.
Detailed Dark Matter Map Yields Clues to Galaxy Cluster Growth
Nov 12, 2010 · Dark energy pushes galaxies apart from one another bystretching the space between them, thereby suppressing the formation ofgiant structures called galaxy clusters. One way astronomers can probethis primeval tug-of-war is through mapping the distribution of darkmatter in clusters.