Approximately what mass fraction of a large galaxy's total mass is estimated to be dark matter?
Answer
Around 80% or more
The discrepancy between the mass inferred from orbital dynamics and the mass visible via light emission led to the crucial realization that the majority of a galaxy's mass is invisible. For large galaxies, this unseen substance, dark matter, is estimated to contribute the vast majority of the gravitational influence, often cited as accounting for around 80% or more of the total mass. Conversely, the stars and visible gas components only account for approximately 10% to 20% of the total mass budget.
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