Roughly 80 percent of the mass of the universe appears to be dark matter: an invisible material that seems to interact with ordinary matter only through gravity, without emitting light or energy. Scientists cannot detect dark matter directly and don't yet know what it's made of, but they track its influence based on the motions of stars and galaxies. The presence of dark matter is necessary to explain the universe's current structure.
Related Topics: The Big Bang Theory, Black Holes, The Theory of Relativity in Space, Gravitational Waves
Latest about dark matter
Strange 'fast radio bursts' across the universe could help solve major cosmic mysteries: 'It's only the beginning'
Though their origins may be shrouded in mystery, fast radio bursts could be used to probe some of the universe's biggest puzzles, including the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Scientists detect signals of hydrogen from billions of years ago. Could this help us map out the universe?
Astronomers have used the MeerKAT radio telescope to detect hydrogen gas located billions of light-years away, from a period when the cosmos was billions of years younger.
Scientists may have detected the 1st direct evidence of dark matter
Using the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment, scientists may have detected the first direct evidence of dark matter, in the form of a rare interaction between a WIMP particle and ordinary matter.
What's next for Roman Space Telescope? Here's how NASA's flagship observatory will open up the universe
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has left Earth, but it'll be a while before it starts its highly anticipated science mission. Here are the next steps for the observatory.
What time will SpaceX launch NASA's Roman Space Telescope today? (Full mission timeline)
SpaceX will launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA's next great observatory, atop a Falcon Heavy rocket on Aug. 30. Here's what time it flies.
NASA's Roman Space Telescope is ready for launch aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is poised to lift off with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on Aug. 30. This observatory is on a mission to usher in a new wave of astronomical discovery.
On Cloud 9: Have astronomers discovered the first starless galaxy?
Astronomers are closer than ever to confirming the discovery of the first starless or "failed" galaxy, packed with dark matter and gas but with virtually no stars.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launching NASA's Roman Space Telescope on Aug. 30: How to watch it live
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to lift off atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket early Sunday morning (Aug. 30). Here's how to watch it live.
