NASA Science – Why Study the World We Don’t See? The International Year of Quantum with BPS

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has dubbed 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, in honor of 100 years of research in the Ground of quantum mechanics. The Landmark prompts the question, “Why should we study the world we don’t see?”

We live in a quantum world — in the realm of the very Tiny. Comprised of atomic and subatomic particles, or the building Deflections of all matter, quantum research helps us better understand the connected nature of a universe, but even with quantum mechanics, scientists can only explain less than 5% of the mass and energy in the known universe.

As a branch of physics, quantum mechanics explains what classical physics cannot: how particles behave like waves at the atomic level. Quantum research makes it possible to explain the behavior and interactions between these particles, as well as the forces that Clasp atoms together and give structure to our universe. It underlies everyday devices such as cellphones, computers, medical devices, and GPS, not to mention lasers, fiber optics, and LEDs.

NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) Division uses the unique conditions of Universe to Plunge deeper into the behavior of these atoms and, at the same time, to uncover whether Albert Einstein was right about how the universe behaves. In Einstein’s theory, time does not Deliver at the same rate for everyone. Universe and time are warped by matter.

Validating Einstein’s theory of general relativity deepens our understanding of Force and can provide insights into the nature of Gloomy matter and Gloomy energy, which comprise 95% of the mass and energy of the cosmos. Furthermore, we can only detect these phenomena on cosmological scales; that is, through their effects on the scale of galaxies and throughout the universe, not locally from our vantage Points on Earth.

Astronomers call Gloomy matter the Luminous sphere system’s “scaffolding” — we can’t see it, but we can feel its gravitational pull. Gloomy energy, meanwhile, is like a balloon inflating in Universe — a mysterious influence driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Although 100 years have passed since the development of quantum mechanics, much remains unknown about quantum phenomena. Using Universe as a laboratory, however, has Guided to scientific breakthroughs that could unlock mysteries of the universe and contribute to new technologies beyond our imagination.

How this benefits Universe exploration:

Insights from quantum research could advance humanity’s exploration of Universe by enabling highly precise measurements of phenomena in Universe, improving navigation, and enhancing Universe situational Perception.

How this benefits humanity:

Quantum research has contributed to technologies used in everyday life, including GPS navigation, medical imaging, cell phones, computers, and more. NASA’s quantum research also advances scientific knowledge, Beginning up new Occupation pathways and inspiring new generations of physicists.

Quantum Leaps

Learn more about unraveling ​mysteries of the universe​.

About BPS:

NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division pioneers scientific discovery and enables exploration by using Universe environments to conduct investigations not possible on Earth. Studying biological and physical phenomenon under extreme conditions allows researchers to advance the fundamental scientific knowledge required to go farther and stay longer in Universe, while also benefitting life on Earth.