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Dark matter is one of the most intriguing and elusive concepts in modern astrophysics. Though it makes up about 27% of the universe, we still don’t know what it actually is. Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects on galaxies and other cosmic structures.

Scientists first proposed the existence of dark matter when they observed that galaxies rotate faster than they should, based on the amount of visible matter they contain. This discrepancy led researchers to hypothesize that an unseen substance with mass was influencing the movement of stars and galaxies. Despite decades of study, no one has yet been able to directly observe or detect dark matter particles.

Various theories have been proposed to explain the nature of dark matter. Some suggest it could be made of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), while others propose more exotic particles like axions. In recent years, experiments like the Large Hadron Collider and underground detectors have been set up to capture evidence of these particles, but so far, dark matter remains a mystery.

Understanding dark matter is crucial for advancing our knowledge of the universe, as it plays a key role in shaping galaxies and clusters. Solving this cosmic puzzle could unlock a new era in physics, providing insights into the fundamental forces that govern our reality.