Dark Matter Displays Familiar Behavior in Groundbreaking Study

Recent research from the University of Geneva suggests that dark matter behaves in ways similar to ordinary matter, following established physical laws in cosmic settings. The study, published in Nature Communications on November 16, 2025, reveals that dark matter’s movement through gravitational wells aligns closely with how visible matter, like stars and galaxies, operates under known forces.

Dark matter, a form of matter that does not emit or reflect light and is believed to be five times more prevalent than ordinary matter, continues to puzzle scientists. The ongoing question is whether this elusive substance adheres to the same physical principles as its visible counterparts or if it is influenced by an undiscovered force.

Investigating Dark Matter’s Movement

To explore this, researchers led by Camille Bonvin, an associate professor at the Department of Theoretical Physics at the University of Geneva, examined how dark matter interacts with gravitational wells—regions in space where massive objects distort the fabric of space-time. By analyzing the velocities of galaxies relative to the depth of these wells, the team sought to determine if dark matter behaves according to the same rules established by Einstein’s general relativity and Euler’s equations.

Bonvin stated, “If dark matter is not subject to a fifth force, then galaxies—which are mostly made of dark matter—will fall into these wells like ordinary matter, governed solely by gravity.” This comparison allowed the researchers to test for potential hidden forces acting on dark matter.

Findings and Implications

The results indicate that dark matter sinks into gravitational wells similarly to ordinary matter, suggesting it is consistent with Euler’s equations. However, while these conclusions support existing theories, they do not entirely rule out the existence of an unknown force. According to Nastassia Grimm, the first author of the study, “If such a fifth force exists, it cannot exceed 7% of the strength of gravity; otherwise, it would have already been detected in our analyses.”

These findings mark a significant step towards enhancing our understanding of dark matter’s role in the universe. The next challenge for researchers is to ascertain whether a subtle fifth force truly affects dark matter’s behavior. Upcoming experiments, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), are expected to provide insights sensitive enough to detect forces as weak as 2% of gravity.

As the scientific community continues to unravel the mysteries of dark matter, this study lays the groundwork for future investigations into the fundamental nature of the universe. Isaac Tutusaus, a researcher at ICE-CSIC and IEEC, emphasized the importance of the upcoming data, stating that it should yield further understanding of dark matter’s behavior.

In summary, while dark matter remains an enigmatic component of the cosmos, its apparent adherence to familiar physical laws opens new avenues for exploration in modern cosmology.