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According to our current understanding, the composition of the universe is roughly divided into three main components: ordinary matter, dark matter, and dark energy.

  1. Ordinary Matter: This is the familiar matter that we encounter in everyday life, composed of atoms and subatomic particles. It includes everything we can see, such as stars, planets, galaxies, and even ourselves. However, as you mentioned, ordinary matter only accounts for a small fraction, approximately 5%, of the total energy density of the universe.

  2. Dark Matter: Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to our current detection methods. Its existence is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter and the large-scale structure of the universe. Dark matter is estimated to make up about 27% of the total energy density of the universe. Although its precise nature is still unknown, various theories suggest that it could be composed of exotic particles that have not yet been detected.

  3. Dark Energy: Dark energy is another mysterious component of the universe. It is an unknown form of energy that seems to be responsible for the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. Unlike ordinary matter and dark matter, dark energy does not cluster or form structures but instead fills space uniformly. Dark energy is believed to account for approximately 68% of the total energy density of the universe. The exact nature of dark energy remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in modern physics.

It's important to note that our understanding of the universe is continually evolving as scientists conduct further research and make new discoveries. So, while this is the current state of knowledge, future observations and theoretical advancements may provide additional insights into the nature of the universe and its composition.

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