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Some candidates for dark matter are so-called massive compact halo objects (MACHOSs), a category which includes black holes, asteroids and giant Jupiter-like planets. We would not see such objects in a galaxy, because they do not shine, but they would all contribute to the gravitational attraction within a galaxy. Other candidates for dark matter come under the heading of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), which includes various types of particles that do not form objects like MACHOS but which might permeate the entire universe, hardly making their presence felt, except through the force of gravity. - Big Bang, Simon Singh

The book then goes onto talk about dark energy but since scientists haven't the foggiest idea about dark energy yet, they haven't quite found really cool names for it yet.

Simon Singh writes great books, that make science accessible for the uninitiated and a joy for those who thinks that scaffolding can be as interesting as the ancient building it's erected around to clean. (Hint buy the book, I give it 5 quasars out of 5 or a "it's damn fucking good")

I finally finished reading His Dark Materials after being given Northern Lights^‡ for my birthday two years ago, but not getting around to reading till a couple of months ago. I've got to say, I was fairly disappointed in the series especially after everyone (including a BA air hostess) telling me how brilliant they were.

Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind for them, or maybe it was built up too much, but I really didn't think they were that good. I mean everyone on Amazon thinks they're pretty good, so it must be me. And I'll admit when it comes to Sci-Fi or Fantasy literate, I'm probably pickier than most, having read so much of it since the age of very young and the Magic Faraway Tree.