In the field of astronomy, dark matter is a theoretical form of matter that remains undetectable by conventional means, as it does not emit, absorb, or interact with light or any other electromagnetic radiation. Its existence is inferred through its gravitational effects, which cannot be explained by general relativity alone unless an unseen mass is present. These effects are evident across various cosmic phenomena, including galaxy formation and evolution, gravitational lensing, the distribution of mass during galactic collisions, the movement of galaxies within clusters, and the anisotropies observed in the cosmic microwave background. Dark matter is thought to provide the gravitational foundation, or “scaffolding,” that supports the structure of the universe. Following the Big Bang, dark matter began to accumulate into dense concentrations along narrow filaments, contributing to the formation of the cosmic web—a vast network of galaxy superclusters—where individual galaxies are positioned like tiny particles within a grand cosmic structure.
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