Summary:
- Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 85% of the universe's total mass, but it does not emit, reflect, or absorb light, making it invisible to telescopes.
- Scientists believe dark matter plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of galaxies, as its gravitational pull helps hold galaxies together and shapes the large-scale structure of the universe.
- Researchers at the Institute for Advanced Study are using advanced computer simulations and observations to study the properties of dark matter and how it interacts with the visible matter we can observe, in order to better understand the nature of this elusive component of the cosmos.