Unveiling the Universe's Hidden Mass: The Quest for Dark Matter

The universe holds a secret: most of its mass is invisible. Known as dark matter, this enigmatic substance doesn't emit light, making it undetectable by conventional means. Astronomers have long suspected its existence, inferring it from gravitational effects on visible matter. Unlike ordinary matter, dark matter isn't composed of known particles. Scientists are exploring whether it consists of entirely new particles, potentially forming a "dark sector" with its own unique interactions. This quest to understand dark matter is a major focus for both particle physicists and astrophysicists, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos and leading to new technologies based on manipulating its properties.