The Dark Matter Enigma

TL;DR

This paper reviews the dark matter problem, exploring particle physics solutions, experimental searches for WIMPs, and alternative gravity theories, highlighting the challenges and current status of understanding dark matter in the universe.

Contribution

It provides a personal overview of dark matter issues, summarizing historical context, experimental efforts, and alternative theories in a concise manner.

Findings

No direct evidence for dark matter particles yet

Astronomical observations constrain dark matter models

Modified gravity theories offer alternative explanations

Abstract

In this pedestrian approach I give my personal point of view on the various problems posed by dark matter in the universe. After a brief historical overview I discuss the various solutions stemming from high energy particle physics, and the current status of experimental research on candidate particles (WIMPS). In the absence of direct evidence, the theories can still be evaluated by comparing their implications for the formation of galaxies, clusters and superclusters of galaxies against astronomical observations. I conclude briefly with the attempts to circumvent the dark matter problem by modifying the laws of gravity.