Skip to main content

Dark matter: How does it explain a star's speed? - Don Lincoln

100,128 Views

2,334 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

All the stars in a spiral galaxy rotate around a center -- but to astronomers, the speed that each star travels wasn't making sense. Why didn't stars slow down toward the edges as expected? Don Lincoln explains how a mysterious force called dark matter is (possibly) the answer -- and why the search for an answer matters.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Don Lincoln
  • Director Gatze Zonneveld
  • Narrator Don Lincoln

More from Out Of This World