Scientists answer the dark matter skeptics who say it's a myth

The researchers claim to have dispelled the skeptics of the most abundant substances, mysterious, even hypothetical, of the universe: dark matter.

In a recent article, researchers at the International School of Higher Education (SISSA) claim to have refuted alternative theories that seem to exclude the existence of dark matter by studying one of the most complex issues of l & # 39; astrophysics.

The phenomenon, known as the rotation curve of a galaxy, is related to behavioral differences of objects in a galaxy.

Dark matter is mysterious and abundant according to theories according to which it could represent as much as 85% of all matter in the universe.

Although the laws of astrophysics require us that solar systems and objects that revolve around spiral galaxies move at a slower speed because of the amount of light material used, the velocity seen in spiral galaxies like the ours, the Milky Way, is uniform.

In order to reconcile this observation with our understanding of astrophysics as we know it, especially Kepler's laws, scientists have hypothesized that it is matter on the periphery, and even everywhere in our galaxy that we do not see – dark matter.

"We investigated the relationship between total acceleration and its ordinary component in 106 galaxies, obtaining results different from those previously observed," said Paolo Salucci, professor of astrophysics at SISSA and I & # 39; one of the authors of the research.

"This not only demonstrates the inaccuracy of the empirical relationship described above, but also removes doubts about the existence of dark matter in galaxies.

"In addition, the new relationship found could provide crucial information on understanding the nature of this indefinite component."

Dark matter has also been used to explain the formation of galaxies and their unique shapes, acting as a kind of glue that keeps their shape together.

Although popular among astrophysicists, no scientist has yet observed dark matter, which has led some to become skeptical about its existence.

Researchers have recently looked closely at the credibility of dark matter and claim that by changing our laws of gravitational theory, explainable patterns such as those observed in the rotation curves of galaxies can be reconciled.

The discovery that led researchers to their skepticism about dark matter was a galaxy that contained almost no substance.

In a surprising discovery, the researchers say that they found not one but two galaxies with almost no dark matter.

"We thought that each galaxy had dark matter and that it is from this matter that a galaxy was starting," said Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University in a statement about the discovery of the galaxy. last year.

& # 39; This invisible and mysterious substance is the most dominant aspect of all galaxies. So, finding a galaxy without it is unexpected.

"It challenges the standard ideas of how we think galaxies work, and shows that dark matter is real: it has its own separate existence, distinct from the other components of galaxies …"

They recently discovered a second of these galaxies in April.

SISSA scientists, however, refute the dark matter heretics with their new study that tests the extent of the analysis to galaxies other than spiral galaxies like ours.

"Three years ago, a few colleagues at Case Western Reserve University strongly questioned our understanding of the universe and the in-depth work of many researchers, casting doubt on the existence of dark matter in galaxies, "said Chiara Di Paolo, a PhD student in astrophysics at SISSA.

Their new results, which study 72 low surface gloss galaxies (LSB) and 34 dwarf disk galaxies, also take into account the morphology and the galactic radius, return in favor of the dark matter, they say.

WHAT IS DARK MATTER?

Dark matter is a hypothetical substance that would represent about 27% of the universe.

The enigmatic material is invisible because it does not reflect light and has never been observed directly by scientists.

Astronomers are well aware of this because of its gravitational effects on known matter.

The European Space Agency states: "Light a torch in a completely dark room and you will only see what the torch is lighting up.

Dark matter is a hypothetical substance that would represent about 27% of the universe. It is thought that this is the gravitational "glue" that keeps the galaxies together (artist impression)

& # 39; It does not mean that the room around you does not exist.

"Similarly, we know that dark matter exists but has never observed it directly."

The material is thought to be the gravitational "glue" that keeps the galaxies together.

Calculations show that many galaxies would be torn instead of rotated if they were not held together by a large amount of dark matter.

Only five percent of the observable universe consists of known materials such as atoms and subatomic particles.