Astronomers have revealed the most accurate map of dark matter distribution in the universe to date, based on a survey of a patch of sky about three times the area of the full moon. The scientists stated that visible matter, such as stars and planets, accounts for only about 15% of the total matter in the universe, while dark matter makes up the larger portion. It cannot be observed directly because it does not emit or reflect light, but its existence is inferred from its gravitational effects. The new map is based on the analysis of gravitational lensing, where gravity causes slight distortions in images of about 250,000 distant galaxies, enabling the unprecedentedly precise mapping of dark matter. This map, created using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, surpasses previous ones from the Hubble Telescope, doubling its accuracy and covering wider areas of the cosmos and older epochs dating back 8 to 10 billion years. Diana Scownymiello, an astronomer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said that Webb's capabilities allow for the discovery of finer structures in dark matter and the observation of massive clusters previously unseen, aiding a better understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. The map reveals unprecedented details of the cosmic web, composed of galaxy clusters and vast filaments of dark matter. Scientists hope these findings will contribute to developing models of galaxy formation and understanding the universe's evolution over time.
