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Dark matter MIGHT be made of neutrinos. Problem is, we can't be certain because of two gaps in our knowledge:
1) how much mass is in one neutrino? We have an upper limit for its mass (about 1 eV) and we have a lower limit for its mass (about 0.04 eV); but we don't know any better than that.
2) how many neutrinos are out there? We can make a general estimate of how many neutrinos existed near the start of the Big Bang, but even this has some variation. Then we must ask what percentage of neutrinos have decayed in the last 13.7 billion years. Again, we know that neutrinos decay, but we don't have a good idea of how often they do so.
As we get a better idea of the answer to (1) and (2), we might be able to either conclude that neutrinos account for almost all of the dark matter, or that they account for very little. Until then, we're just multiplying a speculative number times a speculative number times a speculative number.
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∙ 12y ago
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Why is a neutrino a candidate for dark matter?
Neutrinos are all but impossible to detect and it is thought that they may have mass. If they are found to have mass, they would be the epitome of dark matter.
Is dark matter Solid liquid or gas?
We do not know as we have not found any dark matter to examine. The only way we detect it and know it exists is due to its gravitational attraction of the ordinary matter we can see. One speculation when neutrinos were discovered to have tiny nonzero masses was that dark matter might be neutrinos. Another speculation is that dark matter is only ordinary matter, but its in another separate universe in a shared higher dimensional spacetime. Nobody knows.
Is dark matter able to move?
Dark matter is able to move, but it interacts very weakly with other matter, which makes it difficult to detect. It is thought to move under the influence of gravity and can form structures like galaxies and galaxy clusters. However, its exact properties and behavior are still not fully understood.
Does dark matter relate to a supernova?
Probably not. Dark matter is not believed to concentrate well in or around masses the size of stars. But it does concentrate well around galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Most of the mass of a galaxy like ours is believed to be in a sphere of dark matter in the galaxy's spherical halo.
Why do astronomers theorize that most of matter in galaxies and clusters is dark matter?
Dark matter may be invisible to light, but it can still be detected, through its gravitational interactions. Specifically, it can be detected: * By the fact that galaxies rotate way too fast, for the amount of known matter. * By gravitational lensing.
Does dark matter affect the brightness of galaxies?
By definiton, "dark" matter neither emits or absorbs light. Thus, it does not effect the brightness of galaxies.
Why do astronomers theorize that most of the matter in galaxies and clusters of galaxies is dark matter?
most of the mass in a cluster of galaxies is invisible, which provides astronomers with the strongest evidence that the universe contains a great amount of DARK MATTER
Why do astronomers theorize that most of matter in galaxies and clusters of galaxies is dark matter?
most of the mass in a cluster of galaxies is invisible, which provides astronomers with the strongest evidence that the universe contains a great amount of DARK MATTER
Why is a neutrino a candidate for dark matter?
Neutrinos are all but impossible to detect and it is thought that they may have mass. If they are found to have mass, they would be the epitome of dark matter.
Is dark matter Solid liquid or gas?
We do not know as we have not found any dark matter to examine. The only way we detect it and know it exists is due to its gravitational attraction of the ordinary matter we can see. One speculation when neutrinos were discovered to have tiny nonzero masses was that dark matter might be neutrinos. Another speculation is that dark matter is only ordinary matter, but its in another separate universe in a shared higher dimensional spacetime. Nobody knows.
Is dark matter able to move?
Dark matter is able to move, but it interacts very weakly with other matter, which makes it difficult to detect. It is thought to move under the influence of gravity and can form structures like galaxies and galaxy clusters. However, its exact properties and behavior are still not fully understood.
What are the components and sub components of the universe?
Components of the universe include dark energy, dark matter, luminous matter, and other compounds that are non-luminous. Sub-components include photons, atoms, neutrinos, and dark matter.
What are the components and sub-component of the universe?
Components of the universe include dark energy, dark matter, luminous matter, and other compounds that are non-luminous. Sub-components include photons, atoms, neutrinos, and dark matter.
What has the author Robert Alexander Swaters written?
Robert Alexander Swaters has written: 'Dark matter in late-type dwarf galaxies' -- subject(s): Dissertations, Dwarf galaxies, Dark matter (Astronomy)
Does dark matter relate to a supernova?
Probably not. Dark matter is not believed to concentrate well in or around masses the size of stars. But it does concentrate well around galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Most of the mass of a galaxy like ours is believed to be in a sphere of dark matter in the galaxy's spherical halo.
Why do astronomers theorize that most of matter in galaxies and clusters is dark matter?
Dark matter may be invisible to light, but it can still be detected, through its gravitational interactions. Specifically, it can be detected: * By the fact that galaxies rotate way too fast, for the amount of known matter. * By gravitational lensing.
What travels through empty space and through matter?
One example would be X-Rays. They are stopped by Lead, but travel through other matter and empty space.
