Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is thought to make up approximately 85% of the total matter in the universe. It is called "dark" because it does not emit or interact with light, making it invisible to telescopes and other instruments.
Dark matter is different from regular matter in several ways. It does not interact with light, making it invisible, and it does not emit or absorb any electromagnetic radiation. It also does not clump together like regular matter, but instead is spread out throughout the universe.
Scientists have indirect evidence for the existence of dark matter through its gravitational effects on visible matter. The rotation curves of galaxies, gravitational lensing, and the large-scale structure of the universe all suggest that there is more mass present than what we can see with our telescopes.
No, dark matter cannot be observed directly. As mentioned earlier, it does not interact with light, so it cannot be seen with telescopes or other instruments. However, scientists are working on ways to indirectly detect and study dark matter, such as through particle accelerators and gravitational wave detectors.
Understanding dark matter is crucial for understanding the structure and evolution of the universe. It also plays a major role in the formation and growth of galaxies and other large-scale structures. Additionally, studying dark matter can help us better understand the fundamental nature of matter and the laws of physics.