THE UNIVERSE’S MISSING MASS.
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| Title: | THE UNIVERSE’S MISSING MASS. |
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| Authors: | SLATYER, TRACY R. (AUTHOR), TAIT, TIM M. P. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Scientific American. Spring/Summer2026 Special, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p82-89. 8p. 2 Color Photographs, 2 Diagrams. |
| Subjects: | Dark matter, Weakly interacting massive particles, Axions, Gauge bosons, Gravitational effects, Quantum chromodynamics, Sterile neutrinos, Black holes |
| Abstract: | The article focuses on the ongoing scientific quest to identify the nature of dark matter, the invisible substance that constitutes most of the universe’s mass but remains undetected except through its gravitational effects. It outlines two leading theoretical candidates: weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), which are heavier particles interacting via the weak nuclear force, and axions, extremely light particles arising from quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Despite decades of experiments—including collider searches, direct detection, and astrophysical observations—dark matter has not yet been conclusively observed, prompting physicists to broaden their search to include a wide range of alternative theories such as sterile neutrinos, dark photons, and primordial black holes. The article emphasizes the complexity and diversity of dark matter models and the importance of a balanced research strategy combining deep investigation of favored candidates with exploratory searches across many possibilities. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The article focuses on the ongoing scientific quest to identify the nature of dark matter, the invisible substance that constitutes most of the universe’s mass but remains undetected except through its gravitational effects. It outlines two leading theoretical candidates: weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), which are heavier particles interacting via the weak nuclear force, and axions, extremely light particles arising from quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Despite decades of experiments—including collider searches, direct detection, and astrophysical observations—dark matter has not yet been conclusively observed, prompting physicists to broaden their search to include a wide range of alternative theories such as sterile neutrinos, dark photons, and primordial black holes. The article emphasizes the complexity and diversity of dark matter models and the importance of a balanced research strategy combining deep investigation of favored candidates with exploratory searches across many possibilities. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 00368733 |
