I have a question about dark matter?

Question

ok, i read the definition of dark matter, and was wondering. ok what if all this dark matter is just little particles floating around in space. i mean, i doubt that the telescopes we have are strong enough to see atoms and particles millions of light years away, even one light year. so what do you have to say about that?

Answer 1

One hypothesis about dark matter is similar to this.  It involves objects referred to as MACHOS (Massive astrophysical compact halo objects).  A MACHO is a small chunk of normal matter.  MACHOS could also be a number of other astronomical objects including black holes, neutron stars, and brown dwarfs.  As you suggested, we cannot see these objects with telescopes.

The other (more likely) theory is this:

Hypothetical particles called WIMPS (Weakly interacting massive particles) are often said to be the solution to the "dark matter problem".  WIMPS are thought to have similar properties to solar neutrinos, meaning they cannot be detected easily.  Solar neutrinos are able to pass through ordinary matter almost undisturbed -- in fact billions of neutrinos pass through you each second.  However, only a small number of neutrinos are actually detected each year.

Answer 2

Even such particles have mass, the ability to detect them is part of the problem, there is supposed to be enough dark matter to slow down the expansion of the universe because of its combined gravity, but proof if its existence is required.

Answer 3

Wouldn't spaceships blow up then?  Whenever antimatter hits regualr matter, a tremendous explosion results.  

Answer 4

Searching for individual particles has nothing to do with the concept of dark matter. So-called dark matter came about because of the movement and configuration of galaxies and galactic clusters which is determined by gravitational interactions. There simply is not enough "regular" matter and its gravitational influence around to account for the motions and configurations observed.