New research , in which empirical data failed to jibe with theoretical calculation , designate just how much physicists still have to find out about dark matter .
A mismatch between astronomic data and data processor simulation has left a team of scientist scratching their heads , in what is a frustrating lawsuit of reality not agreeing with theory .
The research squad took measurements of several galaxy clusters to inquire the presence of dark matter . Annoyingly , this data , when compared to theoretic computer models , did not agree . publish in their ensuing Sciencestudy , the authors “ paint a picture that systematic issues with simulations or incorrect supposition about the properties of moody matter could explain our results . ”
Hubble image showing galaxy cluster MACSJ 1206, with individual galaxies shown inset, and warped by an astronomical effect known as gravitational lensing.Image: NASA, ESA, G. Caminha (University of Groningen), M. Meneghetti (INAFObservatory of Astrophysics and Space Science of Bologna), P. Natarajan (Yale University), CLASH team
In other words , it ’s back to the draught circuit card .
Far more stuff exists in the universe than we can in reality see , as bear witness by the room aloof objects interact with each other . This lack stuff is phone dark matter , and , despite constitute the huge majority of matter in the universe , it does n’t emit , plunge , or reflect light . But it ’s reasonably important hooey for something so elusive , as it binds stars together inside of galaxies , while chaining extragalactic nebula together to form cluster .
https://gizmodo.com/what-is-dark-matter-and-why-hasnt-anyone-found-it-yet-1825608249
Hubble image of the lensing cluster MACS J1206. Inset image shows the spatial distribution of dark matter, with the spikes indicating individual galaxies.Image: NASA, ESA, G. Caminha (University of Groningen), M. Meneghetti (Observatory of Astrophysics and Space Science of Bologna), P. Natarajan (Yale University), and the CLASH team
And indeed , galaxy cluster , in which thousands of galaxies are cloistered together , do as upstage research lab for studying dismal matter . Galaxy clusters are massive repositories of dark topic owing to their tremendous gravitational influence . Blobs of the stuff in the form of dark - matter halos can be indirectly observe loitering around galaxy bunch , as well as individual galaxies park within .
Of naturally , astronomers ca n’t actually see these benighted - topic halos , but they can see the elbow room in which these invisible blobs can bend light . This phenomenon , cognise as gravitational lensing , distorts and repositions background object from our line of great deal . Gravitational lensing is pretty coolheaded because it allows uranologist to see , for exemplar , a galaxy that would otherwise be obscured by a closer one in front of it . Importantly , the more dark matter that ’s around , the greater the observe lensing issue .
For the newfangled study , Yale astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan and her fellow analyse ikon of 11 monolithic extragalactic nebula clusters taken by the Hubble Space Telescope , which were supplemented by spectrographic measuring gathered by the European Southern Observatory ’s Very Large Telescope ( VLT ) . The Hubble information , in both visible and infrared light , was accept in 2011 by the scope ’s Advanced Camera for Survey and Wide Field Camera 3 .
data point from Hubble and VLT data point allowed the researcher to visualize the dark matter . The 3D map , with their hills , valleys , and enlarged stalagmite , depict the spatial distribution of the halos . The stalagmite , or peaked part , show the localization of dark - subject halos , or subhalos in this case , associated with individual galaxies located within a clump .
The squad , including first writer Massimo Meneghetti , then assume this high - fidelity data and liken it to theory - based computer simulations of cluster with like masses and at comparable distances . The models did not match the galactic data ; the authors detected smaller lens in the Hubble images equate to those produced by the simulations .
“ There ’s a feature film of the real existence that we are simply not capturing in our current theoretic models , ” explained Natarajan in a Yalepress discharge . “ This could signal a disruption in our current understanding of the nature of dark matter and its dimension , as this exquisite information has permitted us to probe the elaborate distribution of dark matter on the modest scales . ”
Bob Jacobsen , a physicist as UC Berkeley who was n’t involved in the new research , aver the two maps — one produced by Hubble datum and the other by current black matter theories — look like they ’re in conflict . Interestingly , he said the structure of both map are “ heavy reliant ” on computation and simulations .
“ This will add important pressure to improving and understanding those computational framework and simulations , ” explained Jacobsen in an electronic mail . “ Solid measurements tend to do that . But we do n’t yet know whether this is telling us something about our figuring and simulation , or whether it ’s tell us something cardinal about dark thing . ”
Another research worker stress just how complex this cosmic science is .
“ There are stack of missing piece of music in our current savvy of dark affair , ” allege Esra Bulbul , an astrophysicist at Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics who was n’t affect with the new study . “ compare United States Department of State - of - the art simulations and testing current obscure thing manikin with high - quality data , as presented in this study , bestow us one gradation nearer to solving this complicated puzzler . ”
It ’s a thwarting outcome , for sure , but it ’s still a solvent . And as Jacobsen suggested , we have to get sassy about the whole thing . Solving the mystery of dark matter will require more reflection of deep outer space and some effectual number crunching . We just have to cognise which count to craunch .
AstronomyAstrophysicsDark matterScience
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