as of 2023, I can provide you with some notable discoveries up until that time.
Dark matter and dark energy are still largely mysterious components of our universe. While their existence has been inferred through various observations and measurements, their exact nature remains unknown. Here are a few significant discoveries and advancements in our understanding of dark matter and dark energy :
Dark Matter:
- Indirect detection efforts: Numerous experiments have been conducted to detect dark matter particles indirectly, such as the search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) using underground detectors like the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment or the XENON1T experiment.
- Galactic observations: Studies of galactic rotation curves, gravitational lensing, and the large-scale structure of the universe provide evidence for the presence of dark matter. Astronomers have used techniques like weak gravitational lensing to map the distribution of dark matter in galaxy clusters.
- Bullet Cluster: The Bullet Cluster, observed in 2006, provided strong evidence for the existence of dark matter. The collision between two galaxy clusters resulted in a separation between the visible matter and the gravitational effects, indicating the presence of non-interacting dark matter.
Dark Energy:
- Supernova Cosmology Project and High-Z Supernova Search Team: In 1998, these teams independently discovered that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, indicating the presence of a repulsive force known as dark energy. Their observations were based on the brightness of distant supernovae.
- Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): Measurements of the CMB, such as those by the Planck satellite, have provided further evidence for the existence of dark energy. The CMB data helps constrain the cosmological parameters, including dark energy density.
- Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO): By studying the large-scale distribution of galaxies, scientists have used BAO to measure the expansion rate of the universe at different epochs, providing additional constraints on dark energy.
Since my knowledge is not up to date, there might have been new developments or discoveries. I recommend consulting scientific publications, news sources, or specialized websites for the most recent information on dark matter and dark energy.