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[[Image:DarkMatterNASA1.jpg|350px|right]]'''Dark matter''', in [[astronomy]], is any hypothetical [[matter]] that is not directly detectable but which astronomers infer when the actual mass of any observed celestial object is not sufficient to account for an observed gravitational effect. It is one of two concepts (the other is [[dark energy]]) that [[evolution]]istic astronomers invoke to account for observations that old-[[universe]] cosmologies, including the [[Big Bang]], cannot explain.

[[Image:DarkMatterNASA1.jpg|350px|right]]'''Dark matter''', in [[astronomy]], is a type of exotic [[matter]] that has been directly detected <ref>http://www.nature.com/news/dark-matter-s-tendrils-revealed-1.10951</ref>, and whose existence astronomers inferred when the actual masses of many observed celestial objects were not sufficient to account for an observed gravitational effect. It is one of two concepts (the other is [[dark energy]]) that [[evolution]]istic astronomers invoke to account for observations that old-[[universe]] cosmologies, including the [[Big Bang]], do not yet explain fully.

== The first dark matter ==

== The first dark matter ==

The first recorded instance of the invocation of anything similar to dark matter was the hypothesis of a [[planet]] named [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]] in the mid-1850s. This planet was supposed to be inside the orbit of [[Mercury]] and yet was never directly observed from [[Earth]], for reasons that no astronomer ever explained. Astronomers inferred the existence of this planet because Mercury precessed in its orbit around the Sun by 43 arc-seconds per century faster than expected by Newtonian physics. Many apparently observed transits of unidentified objects across the sun were thought to be this undiscovered planet.

The first recorded instance of the invocation of anything similar to dark matter was the hypothesis of a [[planet]] named [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]] in the mid-1850s. This planet was supposed to be inside the orbit of [[Mercury]] and yet was never directly observed from [[Earth]], for reasons that no astronomer ever explained. Astronomers inferred the existence of this planet because Mercury precessed in its orbit around the Sun by 43 arc-seconds per century faster than expected by Newtonian physics. Many apparently observed transits of unidentified objects across the sun were thought to be this undiscovered planet.

Then in 1915, [[Albert Einstein]] solved the problem. He showed that Mercury, at [[apsis|perihelion]], passes close enough to the Sun for [[General Relativity]] to require a second-order correction. He published the correction and accounted exactly for the precession in the orbit of Mercury, without the need for any planet, [[asteroid]] belt, or other object or objects inside that orbit.<ref name=Hartnett>Hartnett, John. ''[[Starlight, Time and the New Physics]]''. Creation Book Publishers, 2007. ISBN 9780949906687.</ref>

Then in 1915, [[Albert Einstein]] solved the problem. He showed that Mercury, at [[apsis|perihelion]], passes close enough to the Sun for [[General Relativity]] to require a second-order correction. He published the correction and accounted exactly for the precession in the orbit of Mercury, without the need for any planet, [[asteroid]] belt, or other object or objects inside that orbit.<ref name=Hartnett>Hartnett, John. ''[[Starlight, Time and the New Physics]]''. Creation Book Publishers, 2007. ISBN 9780949906687.</ref> This is considered one of the first strong proofs of relativity, of many.

== The current problem ==

== The current problem ==

== Creationistic explanation ==

== Creationistic explanation ==

[[Creationism]], of course, declares that any observed effect results from the [[creation|creative]] action of [[God]]. In 2000, relying primarily on this theory, Don DeYoung, writing in the [[Creation Research Society Quarterly]],<ref name=deYoung>DeYoung DB. "[http://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/36/36_4/darkmatter.html Dark Matter]." ''Creation Research Society Quarterly'', 36(4), March 2000. Accessed July 28, 2008.</ref> concluded that the hand of [[God]] was responsible for holding rapidly spinning galaxies and larger systems together, despite the observed mass deficits.

[[Creationism]], of course, declares that any observed effect results from the [[creation|creative]] action of [[God]]. In 2000, relying primarily on this theory, Don DeYoung, writing in the [[Creation Research Society Quarterly]],<ref name=deYoung>DeYoung DB. "[http://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/36/36_4/darkmatter.html Dark Matter]." ''Creation Research Society Quarterly'', 36(4), March 2000. Accessed July 28, 2008.</ref> concluded that the hand of [[God]] was responsible for holding rapidly spinning galaxies and larger systems together, despite the observed mass deficits. This is not a scientific explanation, as it does not explain the phenomenon in anything but the most general terms, and makes no observable predictions.

Most [[creation science|creation scientists]], however, prefer to assume an economy of miracles. In that spirit, [[John Hartnett]] has produced a solution that requires no continuing miracle, but derives from a new understanding of the creation and expansion of the heavens.<ref name=Hartnett/> Hartnett's system builds on the earlier work of Carmeli, who in 1996 proposed an extension of Einsteinian relativity to the cosmic scale ([[Cosmological Relativity]]). The Hartnett system, explained more fully in his work ''[[Starlight, Time and the New Physics]]'', predicts that an expanding universe will produce rapidly spinning galaxies and larger systems ''as a consequence of the expansion'' and not due to gravity (or any other force) alone.

Most [[creation science|creation scientists]], however, prefer to assume an economy of miracles. In that spirit, [[John Hartnett]] has produced a solution that requires no continuing miracle, but derives from a new understanding of the creation and expansion of the heavens.<ref name=Hartnett/> Hartnett's system builds on the earlier work of Carmeli, who in 1996 proposed an extension of Einsteinian relativity to the cosmic scale ([[Cosmological Relativity]]). The Hartnett system, explained more fully in his work ''[[Starlight, Time and the New Physics]]'', predicts that an expanding universe will produce rapidly spinning galaxies and larger systems ''as a consequence of the expansion'' and not due to gravity (or any other force) alone.

Current theory suggests that the familiar baryonic matter (composed of atoms) constitutes only 4.6% of the total mass-energy in the universe. Dark matter constitutes 23% of the total, while [[dark energy]] comprises the remaining 72%.<ref name=WMAP2/>

Current theory suggests that the familiar baryonic matter (composed of atoms) constitutes only 4.6% of the total mass-energy in the universe. Dark matter constitutes 23% of the total, while [[dark energy]] comprises the remaining 72%.<ref name=WMAP2/>

=== Proposed explanations for dark matter ===

=== Proposed explanations for dark matter ===

Evolutionistic astronomers have generally focused on the following explanations for the discrepancy between dynamical and luminous mass:

Evolutionistic astronomers have generally focused on the following explanations for the discrepancy between dynamical and luminous mass:

# Black holes are a theoretical construct that have not thus far been verified.

# Black holes are a theoretical construct that have not thus far been verified.

# Efforts to detect WIMPs and axions have thus far produced no definitive findings.

# Efforts to detect WIMPs and axions have thus far produced no definitive findings.

DeYoung also challenged the notion that galaxies or galactic clusters were necessarily stable. He did not comment directly on Milgrom's modified dynamic, but he did suggest that gravity was poorly understood.

DeYoung also challenged the notion that galaxies or galactic clusters were necessarily stable. He did not comment directly on Milgrom's modified dynamic, but he did suggest that gravity was poorly understood.