Scientists find evidence of dark matter

Posted on Tuesday, August 22 2006 @ 17:14 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Astronomers have found the strongest evidence so far that dark matter exists.
Doug Clowe from the University of Arizona in Tuscon and his collegaues have spied a cluster of galaxies in which the centre of mass is shifted to the side of the bulk of observable material, in a relatively empty patch of sky. This implies that there must be some 'dark matter' filling up the empty space.

Decades ago, researchers found from watching distant galaxies that their gravitational properties cannot be explained by the visible material: they posited that some 'dark matter' must make up the difference. Dark matter is thought to account for roughly a third of the mass in the Universe, although it has never been directly detected.

More details at Nature.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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