They account for 96 per cent of the universe but Dark Matter and Dark Energy are still something of a scientific mystery.

 

Research at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga is hoping to help change that.

 

CSU physicists, Dr Allan Ernest and Dr Matthew Collins from CSU’s School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, are applying quantum mechanics to the problem.

 

The pair will outline their research at a public lecture in Wagga Wagga from 6pm on Tuesday 18 September.

 

“Dark Matter is matter that cannot be seen directly by telescopes,” Dr Ernest said. “It seems to exist in the form of giant halos that surround and completely engulf our galaxy, and most, if not all other galaxies, and clusters of galaxies.”

 

“It is invisible and does not even seem to have an effect on other ‘ordinary’ material like we are used to here on Earth; the only interaction with other matter is from its gravitational pull. In fact, its gravitational pull on stars, galaxies and light is the main evidence we have at the moment that enables us to know it exists.

 

“Dark Energy relates to observations of the speeds at which clusters of galaxies are rushing away from us and show that the universe is accelerating. Our best model of gravity, general relativity, predicts that the galaxy clusters should be rushing away but that the rate at which this is happening should be slowing down with time.

 

“One way to explain the ever increasing speeds of the galaxies is to use the idea that empty space contains energy, hence the name Dark Energy,” he said.

 

Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics which provides a mathematical description of the behaviour and interactions of energy and matter using a type of wave theory. In quantum mechanics particles are treated as combinations of matter waves rather than point-like particles.

 

It is traditionally used to explain phenomena on microscopic scales but Dr Ernest and Dr Collins are applying the theory on a large scale, to examine the universe.

 

“We are working with various aspects of quantum mechanics to develop predictions and examine how these might fit with the latest observations.  

 

“To apply quantum mechanics on large scales is a radical approach but so far the predictions seem to match what’s being observed in the universe.

 

Dr Ernest said that Dark Energy appears to dominate the present expansion of the universe, making up an equivalent 73 per cent of its content.

 

He said Dark Matter makes up another 23 per cent while stars, planets and gas (ordinary matter) make up the remaining four per cent.

 

“If we are to explore and eventually colonise space as many people expect we will, and 96 per cent of what was around you was completely unknown, it would seem naive to not investigate all we could about it.

 

“Who knows what uses there may be for Dark Matter, particularly if it turns out to be a new and unknown particle,” Dr Ernest said. “From a scientific viewpoint, knowing the amount of these components will also help us to know the ultimate fate of the universe and help us further understand the structure of space and time.”

 

Due to a growing interest in the field, CSU will offer a new subject, Introduction to Astronomy, through distance education and on-campus at Wagga Wagga in 2013.