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Correct me if I'm wrong, but we call it dark because we can't directly observe it. Us not being able to observe something seems quite plausible. We spent most o
by mcdonje 5y ago
Correct me if I'm wrong, but we call it dark because we can't directly observe it. Us not being able to observe something seems quite plausible. We spent most of our existence as a species with no way to observe viruses.
- axg11 5y agoWe can observe viruses though? Through electronic microscopy, by sequencing their genomes and also by observing their downstream effects. In the case of dark matter, we only observe their downstream effects but have no other direct evidence of its existence.
- AnimalMuppet 5y agoWe call it dark because it doesn't interact with electromagnetic radiation, i.e., light. (At least, as far as we can tell, it doesn't.)
- robocat 5y agoPedantic: dark matter does affect electromagnetic radiation via gravity. “The most successful technique with which to investigate [dark matter] has so far been the effect of gravitational lensing. The curvature of space-time near any gravitating mass (including dark matter) deflects passing rays of light - observably shifting, distorting and magnifying the images of background galaxies”. “Dark matter appears not to interact via the electromagnetic force, and therefore neither emits nor reflects light.” I am sure you know that, but perhaps not everyone does?
- AnimalMuppet 5y agoI did know that, but it's not amiss to point it out. I must confess, when you said "pedantic", I expected something more annoying and less worthwhile. That's the best "pedantic" I've seen in quite a while.