In the vast cosmic tapestry, unseen threads weave,
A shadow dance, a cosmic secret, we believe.
Dark matter, elusive and enigmatic,
Whispers through galaxies, its presence static.

Beyond the luminous stars, it lingers,
A silent partner in the cosmic waltz.
Gravity’s enigma, veiled in obscurity,
Binding galaxies, unseen and weightless.

It does not emit light, nor does it sing,
Yet its influence shapes the cosmic ring.
Invisible halos cradle spiral arms,
Guiding celestial bodies with gentle charms.

Perhaps it’s the echo of ancient collisions,
Ghostly remnants of cosmic decisions.
Or hidden dimensions, folded and curled,
Where dark matter dances, unfurls.

We search the heavens, our telescopes keen,
Hoping to glimpse its elusive sheen.
Yet it remains aloof, a cosmic riddle,
A veil over the universe, a hidden middle.

So we ponder its essence, its cryptic role,
In the grand cosmic drama, the celestial scroll.
Dark matter, enigmatic and profound,
A cosmic whisper that leaves us spellbound.

———-

Dark energy is a mysterious force that shapes the cosmos on its grandest scales. Imagine it as the antithesis to gravity—an anti-gravity energy that propels the universe’s expansion, stretching the very fabric of spacetime.

Here are some key points about dark energy:

1. Dominant Component: Dark energy constitutes a whopping 68% of the total energy in our observable universe. In comparison, ordinary (baryonic) matter contributes only 5%, and dark matter accounts for 26%¹.
2. Acceleration of Expansion: Its primary effect is to accelerate the universe’s expansion. Prior to this discovery, scientists believed that gravity would eventually slow down the expansion over time. However, observations of distant supernovae revealed the opposite: the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate¹.
3. Density and Uniformity: Dark energy’s density is incredibly low—about 6 × 10⁻¹⁰ J/m³—much less than ordinary matter or dark matter within galaxies. Yet, its uniform distribution across space makes it the dominant player in the cosmic dance¹.
4. Candidates and Mysteries: The exact nature of dark energy remains elusive. The leading contenders are:
   • Cosmological Constant: A constant energy density filling space uniformly.
   • Scalar Fields: Dynamic quantities with varying energy densities (like quintessence or moduli).
   • Other possibilities include interacting dark energy and cosmological coupling¹.

In the vast cosmic symphony, dark energy’s notes remain enigmatic—a force that pushes the boundaries of our understanding, leaving astronomers and physicists in awe of the cosmic secrets it guards.