Dark matter cannot prevent the expansion of the universe

2001/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Astronomers at the Paris Institute of Astrophysics investigated the density of dark matter in the universe through the VLT telescope.

Dark matter does not emit light, so astronomers do not know exactly what it is, or what it makes up. They know that it has mass and participates in the recording of the universe, as well as in its expansion. In fact, if the total mass of dark matter is known, astronomers can determine whether the universe expands without interruption. The research consisted in the use of a special instrument from the VLT telescope and, after applying a series of calculations and hypotheses, they were able to determine the density of dark matter. It seems to be half of what it takes to curb the expansion of the universe.