Cosmic Shear: Revealing the Invisible Universe

The video explores dark matter, an invisible substance crucial to the universe's structure. It discusses cosmic shear, a subtle effect of gravitational lensing, used to detect dark matter. By analyzing galaxy distortions, scientists map dark matter's distribution, revealing the universe's web-like structure. This mapping helps understand the universe's evolution and the interplay between dark matter and dark energy, which shapes cosmic structures over time.

What is the primary role of dark matter in the universe?

• It creates black holes.

• It absorbs cosmic radiation.

• Its gravity shapes the structure of the universe.

• It emits light that helps in galaxy formation.

How does cosmic shear help in detecting dark matter?

• By counting the number of stars in a galaxy.

• By measuring the temperature of galaxies.

• By analyzing the distortion in the shapes of galaxies.

• By observing the color changes in stars.

What is the effect of cosmic shear on the appearance of galaxies?

• It changes the color of galaxies.

• It increases the size of galaxies.

• It makes galaxies appear brighter.

• It makes circular galaxies look more elliptical.

What does the cosmic web consist of?

• Clusters of planets connected by magnetic fields.

• Clusters of black holes connected by gravitational waves.

• Clusters of galaxies connected by filaments of gas and dark matter.

• Clusters of stars connected by light beams.

How does dark energy differ from dark matter?

• Dark energy emits light, while dark matter absorbs it.

• Dark energy pushes space apart, while dark matter pulls things together.

• Dark energy is visible, while dark matter is not.

• Dark energy pulls galaxies together, while dark matter pushes them apart.