The universe is made of a mix of different components—some visible, most invisible. Here's a breakdown:
1. Ordinary (Baryonic) Matter – ~5%
- This is the "normal" stuff that makes up:
- Stars and planets
- Gas and dust
- Living things
It’s composed of atoms—protons, neutrons, and electrons—and is what we directly observe through telescopes and interact with.
2. Dark Matter – ~27%
Invisible and does not emit, absorb, or reflect light.
Detected indirectly by its gravitational effects, especially how it influences the rotation of galaxies and the movement of galaxy clusters.
Thought to be made of unknown particles, possibly WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), but hasn’t been directly observed yet.
3. Dark Energy – ~68%
- A mysterious form of energy that appears to be driving the accelerating expansion of the universe.
- Detected through its effect on the large-scale structure and expansion rate of the universe.
- Its nature is still largely unknown—it could be a property of space itself.
4. Neutrinos and Other Exotic Components – Tiny Fraction
- Neutrinos are nearly massless particles that rarely interact with matter.
- Though they’re very abundant, they make up only a tiny portion of the universe’s total energy budget.
Summary:
- Component Approximate % of Universe Notes
- Dark Energy ~68% Drives cosmic acceleration
- Dark Matter ~27% Invisible matter with gravity
- Ordinary Matter ~5% Stars, planets, gas, people, etc.
- Neutrinos, etc. <1% Exotic but small contributors
So, the universe is mostly made of things we can’t see directly—a humbling reminder of how much we still have to learn.
0 Comments