What is Dark Matter? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/What-is-Dark-Matter Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 4, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Despite its elusive nature, dark matter is a crucial component of the cosmos. Because it is electromagnetically neutral, dark matter does not interact with light and is thus impossible to see directly. Although it is invisible, we infer its existence from its gravitational effects on visible matter, such as stars and galaxies. For instance, galaxies rotate at speeds that would tear them apart if only the visible matter were holding them together. This suggests that an unseen mass, dark matter, is providing the necessary gravitational pull to keep them intact. The gravitational influence of dark matter extends beyond individual galaxies. ...(100 of 214 words)

　　Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!