Full Interview: Dark Matter = Black Holes?

David Kaiser thinks the dark matter puzzle is getting closer to being solved. Nearly a century of observations, from galaxy clusters to the cosmic microwave background, have built a compelling case for dark matter's existence, but in recent years, the leading candidates for this mysterious matter have been coming up short.. Enter black holes. Tiny ones. David explains how so-called primordial black holes that formed in the first moments after the Big Bang could possibly be all our dark matter… if they exist at all. Fortunately, this is a testable theory, and David explains the exciting new experiments that could potentially lay this cosmic mystery to rest. Make sure to subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Learn more about NOVA and visit our YouTube channel.--------------------------Guest Bio:David Kaiser is a professor of physics and the history of science at MIT. His research spans the history of modern physics, cosmology, and the foundations of quantum theory. He is the author of several books, including How the Hippies Saved Physics, and is a frequent contributor to public conversations about science and its history.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 18, 2026

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David Kaiser thinks the dark matter puzzle is getting closer to being solved. Nearly a century of observations, from galaxy clusters to the cosmic microwave background, have built a compelling case for dark matter's existence, but in recent years, the leading candidates for this mysterious matter have been coming up short.. Enter black holes. Tiny ones. David explains how so-called primordial black holes that formed in the first moments after the Big Bang could possibly be all our dark matter… if they exist at all. Fortunately, this is a testable theory, and David explains the exciting new experiments that could potentially lay this cosmic mystery to rest. Make sure to subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Learn more about NOVA and visit our YouTube channel. -------------------------- Guest Bio: David Kaiser is a professor of physics and the history of science at MIT. His research spans the history of modern physics, cosmology, and the foundations of quantum theory. He is the author of several books, including How the Hippies Saved Physics, and is a frequent contributor to public conversations about science and its history.

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