ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Light dark matter

Okay kiddo, have you ever heard of matter? Matter means everything that we see and touch around us. Your toys, your clothes, and even your food are made up of matter. But do you know that scientists believe that there is something else out there called dark matter?

Dark matter is something that we can’t see or touch, but scientists have noticed that it has a big effect on how the universe works. They can’t see it because it doesn’t give off light or energy like other types of matter do. It’s like trying to find a toy in the dark without any lights on.

Now, there’s also this thing called light dark matter. It’s like dark matter, but it’s a little bit different. Scientists think that light dark matter is made up of particles that are really light and move really fast. They call these particles axions. Axions are so small that it’s very difficult to detect them.

Scientists are still trying to understand dark matter and light dark matter more, but they know that these things play a big role in the universe. They help hold galaxies together and make the universe work as it does. It’s like these things are the glue that holds everything together, even though we can’t see them.