Supernova Analysis Reveals Dark Matter Details

By Isabelle Parker

Picture from NASA

Over 1,500 supernovas have been analysed by astrophysicists to reveal details on the Universe's composition and evolution.

The data was named Pantheon+, and determined that the Universe is made up of around two thirds dark energy and one third matter- mostly dark. Dark matter and dark energy make up at least 95% of the Universe, but can't be observed directly due to its inability to interact with light.

Pantheon+ has confirmed the dark matter/energy content and acceleration and expansion rate of the Universe. Distance in the Universe can be measured as the light from these explosions recedes as it travels. Expansion can be measured by studying the way the light stretches as it moves across the Universe.

The supernovas studied are called Type Ia, which occur when white dwarfs rapidly accumulate matter from a companion star, triggering thermonuclear reactions. These explosions can be as bright as the light from every star in their galaxy combined, allowing scientists to spot them from 10 billion light years away. They can also look back in time to when the Universe was one quarter of its current age, as light takes time to travel to Earth.

Astrophysicist Dillon Brout says,

"We've combed over the data and can now say with more confidence than ever before how the universe has evolved over the eons and that the current best theories for dark energy and dark matter hold strong."