THE ROLE OF DARK MATTER IN GALAXY FORMATION: OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE AND THEORETICAL MODELS

Abstract

Dark matter is one of the most intriguing phenomena in modern astrophysics. Despite being invisible to direct observation, dark matter plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. This article examines the observational evidence and theoretical models that highlight the essential contribution of dark matter to galaxy formation. We discuss key observational findings, such as the cosmic microwave background (CMB), galaxy rotation curves, gravitational lensing, and large-scale structure surveys, which provide indirect evidence of dark matter. Additionally, we explore the leading theoretical models, including the cold dark matter (CDM) hypothesis and its implications for galaxy formation, halo dynamics, and cosmological simulations. The article also evaluates the challenges in detecting dark matter and future research directions, such as the search for dark matter particles and the potential impact of upcoming astronomical surveys.