Skip to main content Skip to footer content

Chelci Bidos

Dark Matter and Dark Energy on Oprah
And the interview where they answer all the questions you have always wanted to know

By: Chelci Bidos
College Now Course - SCI 1

Dark MatterBidos ArtOprah: Hi everyone, welcome. We have an exciting show today. We have Dark Matter and his sister Dark Energy.

Dark Energy: Thanks, Oprah, it's good to see you again.

Dark Matter: Hi Oprah, I'm very excited to be here.

Oprah: Okay, the question everyone is dying to know, what exactly are you guys?

Dark Energy: Well, Oprah, I am a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to increase the rate of expansion of the universe, and I also make up about 70% of the universe.

Dark Matter: And, I am also a hypothetical matter of unknown composition that doesn't emit or reflect enough electromagnetic radiation to be observed directly, but whose presence can be inferred from gravitational effects on visible matter. I make up 30% of the universe.

Oprah: Interesting, that clears a lot up for us. Moving on, how were you guys discovered?

Dark Matter: I was found using the Hubble Space Telescope when I turned up as a ghostly ring surrounding the aftermath of the collision of 2 galaxy clusters close to me. That's also how you guys know that I exist because I am a shadowy substance that only interacts with regular matter through gravity.

Oprah: Very nice, and you Dark Energy?

Dark Energy: I was discovered when researchers tried to explain observations that the universe we live in is expanding at an accelerating rate, as well as accounting for a significant portion of the missing mass in the universe. Which is what I make up.

Oprah: So, let me get this straight, you both were discovered by researchers?

Dark Matter: Yes, I was a by a Swiss astronomer named Fritz Zwicky.

Dark Energy: And, I was by astronomer and physicist Adam Reiss.

Oprah: Great, what are you guys responsible for, in other terms what is your active role in the universe?

Dark Matter: I am responsible for the expansion of space which is mainly caused by my large radiation component.

Oprah: And you Dark Energy?

Dark Energy: I am responsible for reducing the average density of any parcel of space.

Oprah: And one more question for you two, where in the world can we find you guys?

Dark Matter: I can be found within the galaxies or "blue areas" as scientists like to say.

Oprah: That is so funny. What about you Dark Energy?

Dark Energy: I can be found in distant supernovae, and my brother and I will give you our addresses in case anyone wants to visit or write us. Unfortunately, we do not have a phone yet, we haven't gotten that far.

Oprah: Yes, that might take a while. I want to thank you guys for coming. We had a great time talking to you, and please come back to visit.

Dark Matter: Oprah, we had a really good time also, and we will stop by again, hopefully with new and exciting details.

Dark Energy: Thanks, Oprah