Through what primary mechanism is the presence of dark matter inferred by astronomers?
Answer
Through its gravitational effects on visible matter.
Dark matter is inherently difficult to detect because it is defined as non-luminous; it neither emits, absorbs, nor reflects light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation. Consequently, astronomers cannot see it directly with standard telescopes. Its presence is exclusively inferred by observing its profound gravitational influence on visible objects. Key evidence includes maintaining the observed high orbital velocities of stars in galactic disks and the phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, where its mass bends the path of light passing nearby.
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