✨ Scientists alter physics laws to unravel dark matter

Researchers have created digital copies of our galaxy, the Milky Way, to better understand one of the Universe's greatest mysteries: dark matter. These virtual twins are the result of the COZMIC project, led by Vera Gluscevic and her team at the University of Southern California (USC).

The goal: to observe how dark matter influences the formation and evolution of galaxies. To achieve this, researchers used powerful computers to simulate different scenarios with varying physics laws. For example, in some versions, dark matter collides with ordinary particles like protons. In others, it passes through matter without interacting, or only interacts with itself.



Using these models, scientists can now compare simulated galaxies with real ones observed by telescopes. This allows them to test different ideas about the nature of dark matter.

Dark matter makes up about 85% of the matter in the Universe. It cannot be seen because it does not emit light. But its existence is known through its effects: it acts like an invisible glue that holds galaxies together despite their rapid rotation.

Scientists believe it is made of particles very different from those we know. Some theories suggest they are very heavy, while others propose they are nearly massless.

Researchers use simulations to replay the evolution of the Universe on computers. This lets them test their theories by changing physical rules. For example: what happens if dark matter interacts with normal matter? Or if it doesn't?

These virtual experiments are made possible by supercomputers capable of processing billions of data points. They allow exploration of phenomena impossible to observe directly.

Through this work, the team hopes to soon compare their results with real sky observations. The objective: to better understand dark matter's role in the birth and organization of galaxies.