Dark Matter

The Dark Matter particle exists in abundance in The Orrery. Its primary purpose is to counteract gravity in order to suspend star systems far enough away from each other to prevent them from ripping each other apart. Dark Matter is invisible to the naked eye, and require extremely precise and highly conplex instruments to detect. Dark Matter is also the only particle with negative mass, which prevents it from making contact with physical matter, and will instead pass through it unhindered.

Dark Matter particles which come into contact with energy focused through Lightwells take on strange and anomalous properties. The particle will exponentially increase in mass until it spontaneously combusts and ceases to exist. Depending on the amount of energy fed into the particle and how rapid its mass gain is affects the heat output of the combustion. This means that when Dark Matter reaches positive mass, it will become physical and enter one of the four states of matter depending on the intensity of the energy expelled from the Lightwell. This is what's known as Conversion, or Dark Matter Conversion.

When a Dark Matter particle reaches positive mass, there is no way to return it to its original state.There also seems to be a finite number of Dark Matter particles throughout The Orrery, so once a particle ceases to exist, there is no way to create more.

Solid Dark Matter
By suspending and compressing Dark Matter the moment it achieves positive mass, it is possible to contain its physical form as a solid for a short while before it fizzles out of existence. Dark Matter in this state burns more slowly, and can be interacted with like a hard surface.

Liquid Dark Matter
A slow increase in mass can turn Dark Matter into a malleable syrup-like substance.

Gasseous Dark Matter
Rapid combustion of Dark Matter can result in a hot gas. This gas cannot be ignited, as it is essentially in a constant state of ignition, but also cannot he used to light other things on fire. It is safe for use in inflation or pressurizing, though the Dark Matter combustion must be kept constant in order to maintain volume.

Plasma Dark Matter
An extreme rate of Dark Matter combustion will result in a blazing hot plasma being created. Dark Matter in this state is constantly exploding and is known to deplete the surrounding area of the particle if kept up long enough. This Dark Matter plasma can destroy anything it comes into contact with if it is extreme enough. There doesn't seem to be a limit on its heat output, and Dark Matter plasma which is hotter than the surface of a star is theoretically possible.