Journal profile · ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Physics of the Dark Universe
ISSN 2212-6864 · Elsevier BV · NETHERLANDS
Physics of the Dark Universe: CAS Zone 2 · Physics & Astronomy (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 7.22; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,660; review about 56 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); 410 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Physics of the Dark Universe is published by Elsevier BV and is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Cosmology and Gravitation Theories, Black Holes and Theoretical Physics and Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena, together about 52.9% of its articles. Its main subfields are Astronomy and Astrophysics and Nuclear and High Energy Physics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Physics of the Dark Universe is a hybrid journal which aims to provide a flexible platform for the publication of peer reviewed articles in various formats within the fields of Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Early Universe, Gravitational waves and Neutrinos, covering all theoretical, experimental and phenomenological aspects. The Journal welcomes submissions for articles in the following sections: Dark Matter: Models for the cosmological dark matter, including, but not limited to, particle-like, wave-like, black holes; Experimental and observational probes Dark Energy: Models and theoretical scenarios related to the late-time cosmic acceleration; Observations and experimental results; Forecast and design of new experiments Early Universe: Models and observational tests of the pre-recombination Universe, including but not limited to inflation Early universe probes of fundamental physics Dark Messengers: Multiwavelength/multi messenger astrophysics, including but not limited to: Gravitational waves; Cosmic rays; Dark-sector particles and fields; Black hole-related observations (e.g. black hole shadows) Software Description and Manuals can also be published, if the software is proved to have scientific interest in the understanding of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. The paper can be enriched with (part of) the code itself, or the software and code can be separately published in the Open Access journal SoftwareX (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/softwarex/), which hosts software in a curated GitHub Repository. The journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communications, full length articles, letters, review articles, reports, selected articles from conferences (conference proceedings), workshops, invited perspectives, editor's choice, white papers of new experiments and special issues. For more information about Special issues publication please contact our Content Acquisition Specialist and Publisher. Note: Please note that for submissions on modified theories of gravity and black hole thermodynamics, we will only consider for peer review those deemed of exceptional impact, with novel, relevant, and impactful results. These restrictions apply in particular to f()-type models of gravity, dynamical systems analyses of modified gravity models, and cosmological tests of modified gravity models based only data sensitive to the background expansion (as opposed to perturbations).
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Editor-in-chief Stefano ProfumoPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 4 in mainland China (about 33%); most named Mainland China 4, United States 4, Spain 3, Italy 1 (12 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Cosmology and Gravitation TheoriesPhysics and Astronomy27.4%
- Black Holes and Theoretical PhysicsPhysics and Astronomy16.6%
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy9%
- Dark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy7.7%
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves ResearchPhysics and Astronomy7%
- Astrophysical Phenomena and ObservationsPhysics and Astronomy4.5%
- Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity TheoriesPhysics and Astronomy4%
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studiesPhysics and Astronomy3.7%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Physics & Astronomy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Physics & Astronomy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Astronomy & Astrophysics | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 7.22LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 7.4Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 9LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 9Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.34LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.28LetPub ·
- h-index
- 27LetPub ·
- h-index
- 80OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 985OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 8.21OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 17.6%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 13.95%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 399LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 2,132 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 265 | 144 | 376 |
| 2025 | 410 | 189 | 3,450 |
| 2024 | 377 | 179 | 4,811 |
| 2023 | 244 | 149 | 4,673 |
| 2022 | 137 | 86 | 2,933 |
| 2021 | 154 | 103 | 3,989 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
56 dayssubmission to acceptance
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Submission to first decision
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 27 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 56 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 10 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,660 / EUR 3,420 / GBP 2,930 / JPY 453,950 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare6 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Highlights
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted14
- conference proceedingsThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- editor's choiceThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- full length articlesThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- invited perspectivesThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- lettersThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- methodological papersIn addition to standard scientific articles, Physics of the Dark Universe will welcome innovative articles, among which: Methodological papersLength not stated
- original software publicationsOriginal software publications Authors can submit descriptions and documentation manuals of their developed software, and they are free to additionally attach t…Length not stated
- regular research articleIn addition to standard scientific articles, Physics of the Dark Universe will welcome innovative articles, among which:Methodological papersMethodological pape…Length not stated
- reportsThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- reviewIn addition to standard scientific articles, Physics of the Dark Universe will welcome innovative articles, among which:Methodological papersMethodological pape…Length not stated
- review articlesThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- special issuesThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- white papers of new experimentsThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
- workshopsThe journal gives authors a platform to showcase their best research in a flexible journal that supports a variety of peer-reviewed article types: short communi…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Elsevier Publishing Ethics Policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Open access options available Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
arXiv preprint posting permitted Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2212-6864
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Physics of the Dark Universe
What CAS zone is Physics of the Dark Universe in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Physics of the Dark Universe is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Astronomy & Astrophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Physics & Astronomy. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Physics of the Dark Universe?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 7.22; CiteScore 9, h-index 80.
How long does peer review take at Physics of the Dark Universe?
The publisher reports about 56 days (submission to acceptance). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Physics of the Dark Universe?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Highlights: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Physics of the Dark Universe based?
Of the 12 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 4 (about 33%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (4), United States (4) and Spain (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Physics of the Dark Universe?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Physics of the Dark Universe is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Physics of the Dark Universe open access, and what is the APC?
Physics of the Dark Universe is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,660.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .