Light and Dark

Dark matter makes up the bulk of our universe, but what is it and why do we struggle to quantify it?

Mass is a function of a few variables, but can be derived by dividing density into volume. It is self-evident that matter of low density (feathers) in a given volume (a pillow case) would have less mass (lower weight) than a similar volume filled with high density lead balls.

Following the same logic we can reasonably estimate the mass of the universe. We do understand its mean volume (of the observable universe) from astronomical observations, which results in a diameter of 14billion light years. We can also detect the mean density thereof through sample observations across the universe (3 x 10-30 g/cm3 or 300 billion, billion, billion times less dense than water).

So we really do have a good idea of the mass of our universe and scientists will declare with reliability that it equals 3 x 10e55g.

Okay, so far so good.

What we can also determine is the mean mass of observable matter and we can also determine how much energy is in the system and convert that, using Einstein’s theory on mass-energy equivalence, into mass. When we tally all of that up, we find that we can only really account for 30% of the predicted mass of the universe. That is not a big error if you are still in a junior grade (I once bewailed a teacher who marked my nine-year old son down for getting a linear measurement wrong by a mere millimeter). But a 70% difference is very big for big people and scientists.

So we now have a new astronomical concept. Out there is just under 1 x 1055 of luminescent or detectable matter/energy. There are also bucket loads of undetectable matter. That matter has been called dark matter (because we can’t detect it, not because it is dark as such), but others have called it the “God Particle”.

2008 saw the beginnings of an elaborate laboratory analysis of dark matter, pursuant to some kind of clarification of what is out there.

I prayed about it. I am not sure I have a definitive answer, but I do know that “all things consist and are held together by Jesus” (Colossians 1:17). The bible has been proved to be a sound predictor of universal phenomena – it correctly initiates the big bag with radiant light and it also accurately tracks the metamorphosis of the earth through six distinct phases. So can we look to the scriptures to predict the “God Particle” and have the scientists inadvertently named it for what it is – could spirituality have mass?

Hey, I don’t know the answers here, I am just musing over the wonder of His creation and meditating on something that is truly taxing the great minds of our world. What I do know is that there is some mechanism that enable Jesus to literally hold it all together and when he releases that the universe will be folded up like a garment and cease to be (Hebrews 1:12).

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net