What is the role of dark matter in the formation of the solar system?

Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that makes up approximately 85% of the total matter in the universe, but it does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Its existence was first proposed in the 1930s by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky, who noticed that the gravitational pull of visible matter in galaxy clusters was not enough to explain their observed motion.

The role of dark matter in the formation of the solar system is still uncertain, as its presence has not yet been directly detected. However, scientists believe that it played a crucial role in the formation of the universe, including the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters.

According to the prevailing theory of galaxy formation, known as the cold dark matter model, dark matter began to clump together in the early universe due to its gravitational attraction. This clumping allowed it to form the first structures, which eventually grew into the galaxies we observe today. It is thought that dark matter also played a role in the formation of the Milky Way galaxy, which is home to our solar system.

While dark matter does not directly interact with electromagnetic radiation, it can have an effect on visible matter through gravity. In the case of the solar system, dark matter may have played a role in shaping the orbits of the planets and other bodies. However, the precise role of dark matter in the formation and evolution of the solar system is still an area of active research and debate among astrophysicists.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding dark matter, its existence is supported by a wide range of observations, including gravitational lensing, the cosmic microwave background, and the distribution of matter in the universe. Further research and observation will continue to shed light on the role of dark matter in the formation of the solar system and the universe as a whole.