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LSP141 t1_jaxwyza wrote

It's existence in general is just speculation. It's more of a temporary answer to fill in the gaps between what we currently think is true according to science. We base most of our astronomical models on Scientific methods that are proven to work in our universe, which has worked out so far. However, there are a few phenomena that are as of yet unexplainable. One of which is gravitational fluctuations in different places in our universe, despite us not being able to detect any matter in those places, which doesn't make sence to our scientific models. So we basically invented the concept of dark matter as to make it make sense of why there are gravitational dimples in the fabric of space time in those areas. Theoretically: If dark matter exists, and it would work the way we think it does, that would explain the things we cannot explain at the moment, and it would mean our understanding of the fundamentals of the universe are correct

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CeleritasSqrd t1_jaytdkv wrote

Exactly, think of the term dark matter as a placeholder term designed to assist in creating a mathematical model of spacetime.

Placeholder terms are recognition that science (and maths) rely on incremental progress in our understanding of the Universe.

There are Nobel Prizes awaiting the minds that can provide a coherent understanding of the phenomenon that doesn't interact at all with electromagnetism but does so strongly with gravity.

A future more complex mathematical model of spacetime will assist astronauts to make the journey through a wormhole to an interesting exoplanet and perhaps interact with another species. Hopefully a peaceful interaction.

We inhabit interesting times.

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