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Dark matter is the aptly named unseen material that makes up the bulk of matter in our universe. But what dark matter is made of is a matter of debate. Scientists have never directly detected dark matter. But over decades, they have proposed a variety of theories about what type of material--from new particles to primordial black holes--could comprise dark matter and explain its many effects on normal matter.
An international team of cosmologists used data from the intergalactic medium--the vast, largely empty space between galaxies--to narrow down what dark matter could be. The team’s findings cast doubt on a relatively new theory called “fuzzy dark matter,” and instead lend credence to a different model called “cold dark matter.” Their results could inform ongoing efforts to detect dark matter directly, especially if researchers have a clear idea of what sorts of properties they should be seeking.Image credit: Vid Iršic
