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Scientists have discovered a SECOND galaxy that contains little or no dark matter, further reinforcing the confusing phenomenon.
- Researchers have discovered the second galaxy without dark matter
- The discovery represents a change in how galaxies were thought to have formed
- Galaxies also mark a step in verifying the existence of dark matter
Dark matter is the most mysterious and prolific substance known to man, representing most of the matter in the universe.
That is, with the exception of two aberrant subjects recently identified by the researchers, a galaxy without dark matter discovered last year now officially has a companion.
The findings, published by Yale researchers, are based on research released last year, which showed for the first time the evidence of a galaxy devoid of most, if not all, dark matter characterized in all other known galaxies of the universe.
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A galaxy without dark matter previously discovered has caused a wave in the entire astronomical community after being announced last year.
The team published the latest findings in The letters of the astrophysical journal.
"We thought that each galaxy contained dark matter and that it was 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 …"
Similar to the first galaxy, a recently discovered twin without dark matter, called DF4, is also what researchers call an "ultra-diffuse" galaxy, which means that they contain about 100 to 1000 times less energy. stars as our own galaxy.
"Seeing something completely new is really fascinating," said Shany Danieli, a professor of astronomy at Harvard University, who discovered the galaxy about two years ago.
"Nobody knew that such galaxies existed, and the best thing in the world for an astronomy student is to discover an object, that it's a planet, a star, or from a galaxy, which no one knew or thought of. "
The discovery of the two galaxies not only represents a surprising and unprecedented trend, but cuts the heart of the debate over the very existence of dark matter. In this case, the discovery represents a major affirmative case.
Dark matter is still unexplained. Some scientists think that particles are too small to be observed.
According to scientists, one of the main clues to the existence of dark matter – which has never been observed empirically – is that objects on the periphery of our galaxy move much faster than should not because of the material levels.
Scientists assume that dark matter explains the fact that objects on the outer edge of the galaxy move faster than the mass of normal matter controls it.
However, in newly discovered galaxies, researchers note that objects move at a speed consistent with the mass of normal matter.
"Ironically, the lack of dark matter in these UDGs reinforces the theory of dark matter.
This proves that dark matter is a substance that is not coupled to "normal" matter, as both can be found separately, "researchers said in a statement.
From there, the teams indicated that they would continue to search for other galaxies of this type to help them better understand the phenomenon and perhaps even reveal clues on one of the most dark secrets of the universe.
"We hope this will allow us to move forward in understanding one of the greatest mysteries of our universe – the nature of darkness," Danieli said.
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 it illuminates.
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.
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