The Status of Dark Matter

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

How does it feel, that with all the advancement of Science, that our some total of modern knowledge can only account for one-sixth of the matter of the Universe?

Astrophysically, there's got to be some type of dark matter out there, and it needs to be about five times as abundant as the normal, baryonic matter we have. The indirect evidence is overwhelming. If you try to build a theory without dark matter, you simply have to throw out a whole suite of very well-tested and verified physics, and you still cannot explain all the observations detailed above.

So what do we know about this dark matter? It can't be hot, and it also can't be completely cold and collisionless. There are constraints on how hot it can't be, and also on how large its self-interacting cross section can be.

But, as far as particle candidates go, there isn't a single compelling one. Warm dark matter seems to be the best astrophysical fit, but as for the type of particle behind the majority of matter in the Universe? We know practically nothing about it. And experimental claims of direct detection are, at best, sketchy. (And at worst, bogus, spurious and/or heavily misinterpreted. As Resonaances notes: "[the] experiment is closing in on IDM; what is not clear is whether that stands for Inelastic or Italian Dark Matter.")

The mystery continues, and while we don't have the answers, here, at least, are the pieces of the puzzle. Now, put it together, and the Nobel is yours!

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2011/10/the_status_of_dark_matter.php

[웃 910]

How does it feel, that with all the advancement of Science,

1) What is the significance of italicizing science?

that our some total of modern knowledge can only account for one-sixth of the matter of the Universe?

2) some total?

3) Why did you insert an image of a pizza into this thread?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why not?

You got me. Sum total.

IDM

[luckytxn 2,265]

How does it feel, that with all the advancement of Science, that our some total of modern knowledge can only account for one-sixth of the matter of the Universe?

I like pizza.

[james&olya 1,121]

Not sure what your point is. Is it meant to be a dig at science as opposed to 'faith' as a basis for a belief system?

If so, it is telling that a principal presupposition of your statement is acceptance of the existence of that dark matter! I personally am amazed at what science has done thus far but suspect we are much closer to the beginning than the end in our understanding of the universe!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Not sure what your point is. Is it meant to be a dig at science as opposed to 'faith' as a basis for a belief system?

If so, it is telling that a principal presupposition of your statement is acceptance of the existence of that dark matter! I personally am amazed at what science has done thus far but suspect we are much closer to the beginning than the end in our understanding of the universe!

I posted the article to be read. The author does an excellent job explaining the current science, although it does take a bit of a science background to fully comprehend the article.

[james&olya 1,121]

I posted the article to be read. The author does an excellent job explaining the current science, although it does take a bit of a science background to fully comprehend the article.

Sorry. It is a good article. It is sad that so many people are functionally illiterate when it comes to science! It is remarkable how they can go off on scientists and yet they are first in line to take advantage of what all that science has made possible.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I like pizza.

Vote for Herman and that's what you'll eat for the rest of your life.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sorry. It is a good article. It is sad that so many people are functionally illiterate when it comes to science! It is remarkable how they can go off on scientists and yet they are first in line to take advantage of what all that science has made possible.

Functionally illiterate describes many of the folks that misapply science to promote their political agenda. Too bad.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Functionally illiterate describes many of the folks that misapply science to promote their political agenda. Too bad.

They misapply science to enrich themselves at the taxpayers expense. The Greenies are getting wealthy and loving it. They have found that feeding at the public trough is addictive.