Maths in a minute: Dark matter
Physicists believe that around 82% of all the matter in the Universe is invisible dark matter. But if it's invisible how do they know it's there?
In 1967 a 30-year-old American mathematician, still in the early stages of his career, wrote a 17 page letter to the eminent French mathematician André Weil. The covering note that he sent with the letter said:
"After I wrote [this letter] I realized there was hardly a statement in it of which I was certain. If you are willing to read it as pure speculation I would appreciate that; if not – I am sure you have a waste basket handy."
Robert Langlands has been awarded the 2018 Abel Prize for his "visionary programme".