Large Hadron Collider, a machine that sends two particle beams at each other at nearly the speed of light, has already discovered the Higgs boson, a particle scientists think is related to the creation of the universe. Now, the Large Hadron Collider seeks to prove the existence of dark matter.
“If we can figure out the properties of dark matter, we learn what our galaxy is made of,” Joshua Ruderman, a professor of physics at New York University, says. “It would be transformative.”
According to The Washington Post, scientists estimate that around 27% of the universe is made of dark matter, a substance that does not reflect, absorb, or emit light making it impossible to see. During the experiment, researchers are hoping to learn more about the properties of dark matter and the Higgs boson particle.
The Washington Post says that the Large Hadron Collider uses magnets that are -456 degrees Fahrenheit while two particle beams collide with each other at nearly the speed of light. According to The Washington Post, this creates conditions similar to the Big Bang and allows scientists to monitor and study the particles created by the collision.
The Washington Post says that scientists will have to see if the particle emits light and whether or not it will decay immediately. This helps determine if the particle is possibly dark matter. The experiment is supposed to last four years but may take much longer.
As Ruderman said “This is hard, and something that could take a lifetime of exploration.
“If we can figure out the properties of dark matter, we learn what our galaxy is made of,” Joshua Ruderman, a professor of physics at New York University, says. “It would be transformative.”
According to The Washington Post, scientists estimate that around 27% of the universe is made of dark matter, a substance that does not reflect, absorb, or emit light making it impossible to see. During the experiment, researchers are hoping to learn more about the properties of dark matter and the Higgs boson particle.
The Washington Post says that the Large Hadron Collider uses magnets that are -456 degrees Fahrenheit while two particle beams collide with each other at nearly the speed of light. According to The Washington Post, this creates conditions similar to the Big Bang and allows scientists to monitor and study the particles created by the collision.
The Washington Post says that scientists will have to see if the particle emits light and whether or not it will decay immediately. This helps determine if the particle is possibly dark matter. The experiment is supposed to last four years but may take much longer.
As Ruderman said “This is hard, and something that could take a lifetime of exploration.
