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All the Contents of the Universe, in One Graphic
Scientists agree that the universe consists of three distinct parts: everyday visible (or measurable) matter, and two theoretical components called dark matter and dark energy.
These last two are theoretical because they have yet to be directly measured—but even without a full understanding of these mysterious pieces to the puzzle, scientists can infer that the universe’s composition can be broken down as follows:
| Component | Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark energy | 68% | ||||
| Dark matter | 27% | ||||
| Free hydrogen and helium | 4% | ||||
| Stars | 0.5% | ||||
| Neutrinos | 0.3% | ||||
| Heavy elements | 0.03% |
Let’s look at each component in more detail.
Dark Energy
Dark energy is the theoretical substance that counteracts gravity and causes the rapid expansion of the universe. It is the largest part of the universe’s composition, permeating every corner of the cosmos and dictating how it behaves and how it will eventually end.
Dark Matter
Dark matter, on the other hand, has a restrictive force that works closely alongside gravity. It is a sort of “cosmic cement” responsible for (Read more...)