A question about dark matter -- see details?

Question

If I look a pen and then cover my eyes with my hands, I will not see the pen. Similarly if I look at a star and for some unknown reason some dark matter happen to come in between me and the star what will I see?

Answer 1

Keep in mind that dark matter is purely theoretical. Scientists believe that the outer portions of galaxies rotate at the same rate as the inner part of the galaxy because of dark matter. If enough dark matter was found to exist in the universe then experts believe that it would be the gravitational link between distant galaxies. They also believe dark matter to be invisible, in the aspect that it is transparent, and doesn't reflect, absorb, or emit any radiation of it's own. Almost like it is not even there at all; meaning that you would be able to see objects and light waves throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from behind dark matter. You can't think of dark matter as dust in the universe but more like subatomic particles thinnly scattered throughout space. I hope this helps. Have a good weekend!

Answer 2

Well actually from what I recently studied Dark matter is Hypothetical matter. It supposedly does NOT emit, reflect or absorb enough electromagnetic radiation. Thats what makes it so hard to detect.

So, I'd suppose that the answer to your question would be that you'd probably be able to see the star. However there may be some visible Gravitational effects, like bending of light.....

Answer 3

I think you are getting the wrong idea about dark matter. It's so called because it emits no radiation (light) that allows us to see it in the cosmos. if a piece of dark matter came sufficiently close to our planet, so we could see it close up, we could make out its structure. so if dark matter passed in front of the star, we would see the star "blink", as it would if any object passed in front of it, because it will block light the star emits.

Examples of dark matter are very dim stars (near the end of their lives), and cool gases. We know they exist because we can detect their gravitational pull.

Hope that helps!