All posts tagged: Dark Matter

Astronomers Discover Potential ‘Dark Galaxy’ Near the Milky Way

Astronomers Discover Potential ‘Dark Galaxy’ Near the Milky Way

Published by Webster

Astronomers might have discovered a dark galaxy, primarily made up of dark matter, in the local universe. Dark galaxies are theoretical starless systems that could provide valuable insight for galaxy formation models. The candidate was in a massive, rapidly moving gas cloud, first discovered in the 1960s. At high resolution, the methyl formate cloud appeared to be a tight knot of gas, potentially forming a dark galaxy. But not all astronomers are convinced. It’s more likely to be a regular gas cloud at the edge of the Milky Way, says the astronomer Tobias Westmeier. The study was published in Science Adviser. It reveals that since the early 2000s, a few possible dark galaxies have been discovered close to the Milky Way. However, multiple studies have suggested that these alleged dark galaxies were misclassified. The study further highlights that the hypothetical dark galaxy evolved this way after a collision with cosmic gas close to our galaxy. Finding dark galaxies could enable better computer simulations and provide fresh insight into galaxy development. Astronomers Discover Dark Galaxy Candidate Near Milky Way …

Did Black Hole Radiation Shape the Universe?

Did Black Hole Radiation Shape the Universe?

Published by Webster

A theoretical form of radiation first proposed by Stephen Hawking may have played a role in shaping the universe after the Big Bang, as suggested by recent research. The phenomenon is known as Hawking radiation. It was introduced in the 1970s when Hawking theorised that black holes could emit radiation despite their widely accepted nature as objects that absorb all matter. The study suggests that primordial black holes which are believed to have existed in the early universe, may have released intense radiation. This emission could have influenced cosmic structures in ways previously unaccounted for. Findings from the Study According to the study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, a phase may have occurred in the early universe where primordial black holes dominated the energy density before evaporating through Hawking radiation. The researchers state that ultra-light primordial black holes could have rapidly gained prominence during expansion, leaving behind observable effects. The research suggests that the impact of these black holes was powerful enough to influence the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures. …

Euclid Space Telescope Discovers Rare Einstein Ring, Revealing Dark Matter Secrets

Euclid Space Telescope Discovers Rare Einstein Ring, Revealing Dark Matter Secrets

Published by Webster

A rare Einstein ring has been detected by the Euclid space telescope, offering valuable insights into dark matter distribution. The phenomenon, created by the gravitational lensing effect of a galaxy located nearly 600 million light-years away, has provided researchers with a means to analyse the mass and composition of the lensing galaxy. The discovery occurred as Euclid commenced its mission to construct an extensive 3D map of the universe. Dark Matter Insights from Gravitational Lensing According to research published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, the gravitational lens responsible for this Einstein ring has been identified as the galaxy NGC 6505. Situated around 590 million light-years from Earth, the galaxy’s mass is significant enough to bend light from a more distant source, forming a nearly perfect circle. This alignment has enabled scientists to examine the lensing galaxy’s central region, where dark matter presence is notably lower than expected. As reported by space.com, the research team has referred to this structure as “Altieri’s lens,” named after astronomer Bruno Altieri, who played a key role in its identification. The …

Scientists Discover Hidden Clues to the Dark Universe in 3D Galaxy Maps

Scientists Discover Hidden Clues to the Dark Universe in 3D Galaxy Maps

Published by Webster

New insights into the “dark universe,” which includes both dark matter and dark energy, have emerged from a new method of studying 3D maps of galaxies. Scientists have used sophisticated computer algorithms to analyse the relative positions of galaxies in a 3D framework, unveiling previously hidden information that could challenge or support the standard model of cosmology. This method, unlike older techniques, preserves the three-dimensional integrity of the data, offering a deeper understanding of the universe’s structure. New Approach to Galactic Mapping According to the study led by astronomer Minh Nguyen of the University of Tokyo, the latest approach utilises advanced field-level inference (FLI) techniques combined with algorithms to model galaxy growth and dark matter halos. This technique builds upon the traditional method of galaxy surveys, which in the past relied on two-dimensional measurements. By adding a third dimension through redshift data, scientists have been able to map galaxies more accurately and analyse their distribution in space. In traditional methods, data is often compressed into “n-point correlation functions,” which, while efficient, have been shown to …

Invisible Boson Stars Could Hold the Key to Dark Matter’s Mysteries

Invisible Boson Stars Could Hold the Key to Dark Matter’s Mysteries

Published by Webster

The universe is thought to be teeming with invisible entities called boson stars, formed from an exotic material that neither shines nor emits detectable radiation. These celestial objects might hold the key to the enigma of dark matter, which accounts for approximately a quarter of the cosmos’s mass-energy content. While theoretical models propose that dark matter comprises undiscovered particles, no direct evidence for their existence has yet emerged, leaving scientists exploring alternative explanations, including these unusual star-like formations. The Role of Axions in Dark Matter Studies As reported by space.com, according to studies on dark matter, axions—a type of hypothetical quantum particle—have emerged as a leading candidate. These particles were originally theorised to address discrepancies in the strong nuclear force’s mathematical symmetry. Axions are considered ultralight, with masses trillions of times smaller than the neutrino, the lightest known particle. Their wave-like nature can extend across galaxies, making them a plausible foundation for dark matter and forming what are now termed boson stars. Unique Characteristics of Boson Stars Bosons, such as axions, possess the unique ability …

Knowledge nugget of the day: Ghost particles

Knowledge nugget of the day: Ghost particles

Published by Parlour News

Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: In 2013, UPSC asked a question about the Higgs boson particle. A question on ‘IceCube,’ a particle detector located at the South Pole, was already asked in 2015. Therefore, it is important to understand neutrinos and why they are called ghost particles.) Scientists have deployed telescopes under the Mediterranean Sea to detect the high-energy neutrinos also known as ghost particles. The two telescopes are part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope or KM3NeT. While one of the telescopes will study high-energy neutrinos from space, the other will examine neutrinos from the atmosphere. These telescopes are much like the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, which can detect high-energy neutrinos from deep space but is under the frozen ice in the Antarctic rather than being in the water Key Takeaways: 1. Neutrinos are tiny particles, very similar to electrons, but without any electric charge. They are miniscule subatomic particles that hardly interact with anything. …

Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA

Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA

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An international team of astronomers has studied a nearby galaxy cluster merger, offering new insights into the processes of galactic collisions. Observations of CIZA J0107.7+5408, a post-core passage binary cluster merger, were carried out using the Very Large Array (VLA). These findings have shed light on the intricate dynamics of merging galaxy clusters, which are key to understanding phenomena such as cosmic ray acceleration, the properties of dark matter, and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. Complex Dynamics of CIZA J0107.7+5408 According to the study published on the preprint server arXiv, CIZA J0107.7+5408 (CIZA0107) is located at a redshift of approximately 0.1 and consists of two subclusters with optical density peaks offset from their X-ray emission peaks. Led by Emma Schwartzmann of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the research aimed to image the diffuse radio emission in this system, constrain its integrated spectrum, and analyze the spectral index distribution. The team utilized observations between 240–470 MHz and 2.0–4.0 GHz. The analysis confirmed the disturbed nature of the cluster, which features a merger axis in …

Top 5 Black Hole Discoveries of 2024: Plasma Jet, Intermediate Black Hole, and More

Top 5 Black Hole Discoveries of 2024: Plasma Jet, Intermediate Black Hole, and More

Published by Webster

Black holes, known for their unmatched gravitational force and mysterious characteristics, remain a focal point of scientific exploration. This year brought remarkable discoveries, advancing the understanding of black holes’ role in shaping galaxies and their enigmatic behaviours. From the detection of an intermediate black hole to uncovering plasma jets spanning millions of light-years, these findings have captured global attention. Below is a detailed account of these significant developments as reported by Live Science. A black hole candidate located in the IRS 13 star cluster, near the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, could represent a rare “missing link.” Scientists believe confirming its existence would provide crucial insights into how smaller black holes evolve into their supermassive counterparts. Plasma Jets Stretching Across the Cosmos A black hole named Porphyrion was discovered ejecting plasma jets that span an astonishing 23 million light-years. Equivalent to 140 Milky Way galaxies laid end to end, these jets are among the largest structures ever observed and highlight black holes’ extraordinary ability to shape their cosmic environment. Heartbeat Signals Decoded …

NASA’s Antarctic Balloon Campaign Launches to Study Dark Matter and Beyond

NASA’s Antarctic Balloon Campaign Launches to Study Dark Matter and Beyond

Published by Webster

NASA has commenced its annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon Campaign from the Ross Ice Shelf near McMurdo Station, according to recent reports. This season, two large balloons will carry nine scientific missions to near space, with launches set to begin mid-December. This programme, led by NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program Office at the Wallops Flight Facility, is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, New Zealand, and the U.S. Air Force, highlighting collaborative efforts in such remote conditions. Key Missions and Objectives As per official infromation from NASA, among the primary missions, the General Anti-Particle Spectrometer (GAPS), led by researchers at Columbia University, aims to detect anti-matter particles associated with dark matter. These particles are shielded by Earth’s atmosphere and can only be observed from suborbital platforms or space. The mission is expected to explore previously uncharted energy ranges linked to dark matter interactions. Another significant undertaking involves the Salter Test Flight Universal, led by NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Texas. This mission is designed to evaluate the performance of long-duration balloon systems while supporting additional …

Researchers Propose New Methods to Spot Atom-Sized Primordial Black Holes Moving Across Solar System

Researchers Propose New Methods to Spot Atom-Sized Primordial Black Holes Moving Across Solar System

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Recent studies, published in Physical Review D on September 16 and 17, have proposed that microscopic black holes may be present within the solar system, potentially affecting the paths of planets and satellites. These objects, referred to as primordial black holes, are thought to have formed during the early universe. Estimated to have asteroid-like masses but dimensions comparable to a hydrogen atom, they are being suggested as possible contributors to the enigma of dark matter, which constitutes 85 per cent of the universe’s matter. Planetary Orbits and Primordial Black Holes It has been theorised that primordial black holes originated from dense regions of the early universe collapsing under their own gravity. Unlike black holes formed from dying stars, these objects are significantly smaller and faster, with estimated speeds of approximately 200 kilometres per second., as per one of the research paper. The gravitational effects of such black holes on planetary orbits are being studied. It was explained to Science News by Dr Sarah Geller, a cosmologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, that the …