The dark side of the universe

Scientist around the world are studying dark matter and dark energy because they want to know more about the universe. Dark matter holds things together and dark energy sends things flying apart.

Dark matter was accidentally discovered by Astronomer Fritz Zwicky when he was trying to figure out how much mass a far away galaxy had in 1933. In resent experiments Astronomer Dan Coe studied a galaxy cluster. The gravitational pull in a galaxy cluster attracts to galaxies and dark matter. The gravitational force acts like a lens. When light passes through a cluster it bends. By studying the bend Dan was able to predict where dark matter was hiding. Even though scientists have not found dark matter particles they are able to concluded that dark matter goes through everything at the speed of 560,000. Also, scientist concluded dark matter particles don’t reflect light and don’t respond to electricity or magnetism. For the search of dark matter particles most scientists believe it is a neutralino which is a type of WIMP. But some scientists believe that there is no such thing as dark matter. They believe it is gravity that has other properties then gravity on Earth.

Scientist discovered dark energy by watching a supernova explode. Scientist discovered when trying to find out how old the universe is learned that dark energy is stretching apart the universe. Even though dark matter is very weak, there is so much that adds up to a strong force that can overpower gravity.

My opinion to this article is that I do believe that there is dark matter and energy in the universe. I hope scientist find the particles of dark matter in my life span because I want to see the major changes that will happen to our knowledge of the universe.

To read these articles go to:

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/04/the-dark-side-of-the-universe/