Content of the Universe Pie Chart

  • Released Tuesday, September 20, 2016
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Animated pie chart showing rounded values for the three known components of the universe: normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy.

Planck data reveals that the universe's contents include 4.9% ordinary matter, or atoms, the building blocks of stars and planets. Dark matter comprises 26.8% of the universe. This matter, different from atoms, does not emit or absorb light. It has only been detected indirectly by its gravity. 68.3% of the universe, is composed of "dark energy", that acts as a sort of an anti-gravity. This energy, distinct from dark matter, is responsible for the present-day acceleration of the universal expansion.

Same as above but longer and with a slower speed.

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Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:48 PM EDT.

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