Who discovered dark matter
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The Discovery of Dark Matter
Early Observations and Theoretical Foundations
Fritz Zwicky's Pioneering Work
The concept of dark matter was first introduced by Fritz Zwicky in 1933. Zwicky observed the Coma galaxy cluster and noted that the visible mass of the galaxies was insufficient to account for the gravitational effects observed. He concluded that there must be a significant amount of non-luminous matter, which he termed "dunkle Materie" or dark matter, to explain the discrepancy1.
Indirect Measurements and Early 20th Century Discoveries
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, astronomers and mathematicians indirectly measured abnormal velocity and mass dispersion patterns in galaxies. These observations suggested the presence of an unseen mass that did not belong to any known category of matter at the time2. This period laid the groundwork for the eventual acceptance of dark matter as a critical component of the universe.
The Evolution of Dark Matter Research
The 1970s and the Recognition of 'Missing Matter'
It wasn't until the early 1970s that the issue of 'missing matter' gained widespread recognition. During this time, various separate issues involving missing mass were unified into a single anomaly, further solidifying the case for dark matter. This period also saw a renewed interest in cosmological research and the theory of relativity, which played a crucial role in the acceptance of dark matter7.
Advances in Cosmology and Particle Physics
In recent decades, the study of dark matter has become a central problem in both cosmology and particle physics. Researchers have explored various properties, locations, and potential candidates for dark matter, such as Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and axions. These candidates are hypothesized based on their inability to absorb, reflect, or interact with electromagnetic waves, making them invisible to current detection methods6.
Modern Theories and Experimental Efforts
New Dark Matter Candidates
Recent studies have proposed new candidates for dark matter, such as Bose-Einstein condensates formed from the d*(2380) hexaquark. These condensates could have formed in the early universe and are considered a plausible new candidate for dark matter due to their stable properties and sufficient production rates3.
Observational Evidence and Controversial Signals
The consensus in the scientific community is that dark matter constitutes roughly a quarter of the universe. This conclusion is supported by various observational evidence, including galaxy rotation curves, gravitational lensing measurements, and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations. However, several anomalous signals, such as the annual modulation in the DAMA detector and the gamma-ray excess seen in the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope, remain controversial and require further confirmation8.
Conclusion
The discovery and study of dark matter have evolved significantly since Fritz Zwicky's initial observations in 1933. From early indirect measurements to modern experimental efforts, the quest to understand dark matter continues to be a central focus in cosmology and particle physics. As new candidates and observational techniques emerge, the scientific community moves closer to unraveling the mysteries of this elusive component of the universe.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Republication of: The redshift of extragalactic nebulae
Zwicky's 1933 paper suggested that the amount of non-luminous matter in the universe must be greater than luminous matter, an early precursor to the dark matter idea.
Highly CitedReview Of Dark Matter
Dark matter was discovered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and does not absorb, reflect, or interact with photons or electromagnetic waves.
A new possibility for light-quark dark matter
Bose-Einstein condensates formed from the d*(2380) hexaquark could form in the primordial early universe, offering a new candidate for dark matter with potential astronomical signatures.
History of dark matter
Dark matter's acceptance as a central element of modern cosmology is a result of a combination of observational discoveries and theoretical arguments, rather than a single scientist's work.
Highly CitedHave Discovered Dark Matter.
Dark energy pulsating principle. Photon has a mass by the pulsation of the 4-dimensional space. Photon's mass is zero in 3-dimensional space. Photon is a particle of Carter, Klein States. Chapter 5. The discovery of dark matter. [1] Pulsation principle of particle hypothesis and dark matter. [2] A perfect candidate for dark matter. [3] Have discovered dark matter equivalent to a perfect candidate.
PreprintHow dark matter came to matter
The 1960s cosmological research, renewed interest in relativity, and changes in astronomy's manpower division are key to understanding how dark matter came to matter and shedding light on past practices of physics and cosmology.
Status of dark matter in the universe
Dark matter is believed to make up roughly a quarter of the universe, with potential anomalous signals in various data sets suggesting its existence.
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