What Is Dark Matter?
Published on 12. July 2022
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-0-691-14834-2 (ISBN)
Description
What we know about dark matter and what we have yet to discover
Astronomical observations have confirmed dark matter's existence, but what exactly is dark matter? In What Is Dark Matter?, particle physicist Peter Fisher introduces readers to one of the most intriguing frontiers of physics. We cannot actually see dark matter, a mysterious, nonluminous form of matter that is believed to account for about 27 percent of the mass-energy balance in the universe. But we know dark matter is present by observing its ghostly gravitational effects on the behavior and evolution of galaxies. Fisher brings readers quickly up to speed regarding the current state of the dark matter problem, offering relevant historical context as well as a close look at the cutting-edge research focused on revealing dark matter's true nature.
Could dark matter be a new type of particle-an axion or a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP)-or something else? What have physicists ruled out so far-and why? What experimental searches are now underway and planned for the near future, in hopes of detecting dark matter on Earth or in space? Fisher explores these questions and more, illuminating what is known and unknown, and what a triumph it will be when scientists discover dark matter's identity at last.
Astronomical observations have confirmed dark matter's existence, but what exactly is dark matter? In What Is Dark Matter?, particle physicist Peter Fisher introduces readers to one of the most intriguing frontiers of physics. We cannot actually see dark matter, a mysterious, nonluminous form of matter that is believed to account for about 27 percent of the mass-energy balance in the universe. But we know dark matter is present by observing its ghostly gravitational effects on the behavior and evolution of galaxies. Fisher brings readers quickly up to speed regarding the current state of the dark matter problem, offering relevant historical context as well as a close look at the cutting-edge research focused on revealing dark matter's true nature.
Could dark matter be a new type of particle-an axion or a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP)-or something else? What have physicists ruled out so far-and why? What experimental searches are now underway and planned for the near future, in hopes of detecting dark matter on Earth or in space? Fisher explores these questions and more, illuminating what is known and unknown, and what a triumph it will be when scientists discover dark matter's identity at last.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
41 b/w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-691-14834-2 (9780691148342)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Peter Fisher
What Is Dark Matter?
E-Book
07/2022
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€24.49
Available for download
Person
Peter Fisher is the Thomas A. Frank (1977) Professor of Physics and associate vice president of research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also serves as head of the Office of Research Computing and Data.