Posted on 04/12/2017 11:53:27 AM PDT by Red Badger
Dark matter filaments bridge the space between galaxies in this false colour map. The locations of bright galaxies are shown by the white regions and the presence of a dark matter filament bridging the galaxies is shown in red. Credit: S. Epps & M. Hudson / University of Waterloo
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Researchers at the University of Waterloo have been able to capture the first composite image of a dark matter bridge that connects galaxies together. The scientists publish their work in a new paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The composite image, which combines a number of individual images, confirms predictions that galaxies across the universe are tied together through a cosmic web connected by dark matter that has until now remained unobservable.
Dark matter, a mysterious substance that comprises around 25 per cent of the universe, doesn't shine, absorb or reflect light, which has traditionally made it largely undetectable, except through gravity.
"For decades, researchers have been predicting the existence of dark-matter filaments between galaxies that act like a web-like superstructure connecting galaxies together," said Mike Hudson, a professor of astronomy at the University of Waterloo. "This image moves us beyond predictions to something we can see and measure."
As part of their research, Hudson and co-author Seth Epps, a master's student at the University of Waterloo at the time, used a technique called weak gravitational lensing, an effect that causes the images of distant galaxies to warp slightly under the influence of an unseen mass such as a planet, a black hole, or in this case, dark matter. The effect was measured in images from a multi-year sky survey at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.
They combined lensing images from more than 23,000 galaxy pairs located 4.5 billion light-years away to create a composite image or map that shows the presence of dark matter between the two galaxies. Results show the dark matter filament bridge is strongest between systems less than 40 million light years apart.
"By using this technique, we're not only able to see that these dark matter filaments in the universe exist, we're able to see the extent to which these filaments connect galaxies together," said Epps.
Explore further: Team puts dark matter on the map
More information: Seth D. Epps et al. The weak-lensing masses of filaments between luminous red galaxies, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2017). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stx517
Journal reference: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-04-capture-image-dark-web-galaxies.html#jCp
why does the dark matter look so angry?
Planet Eater from Star Trek
Dark Matter Lives Matter....................
Just as we always suspected:
It’s just a Talosian illusion...................
Dark matter matters?
because of racism of course
Best check your dark matter privilege...
XeeLee again, not cleaning up their messes.
An artist’s rendition of something they don’t even know what it is.
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How does one gather images of things that do not exist?
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Dark Matter, Dark Energy... some
racist crap is going on
If it’s matter it can be touched.
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Tiggywah’s web!
.
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Details, details.
.
I’m coming right out and saying it —
A “dark matter filament” which is 40 million light years long ... it holds together how? It attaches to what part of the first galaxy? It attaches to what part of the second galaxy? As the universe expands and the galaxies move in relation to each other, the filament expands and/or contracts as needed? Does it sag? Could it snap?
This is laugh-out-loud illogical and farcical. These so-called scientists are idiots. They may have a PhD and I don’t, but this is a joke.
I’d conclude that they call it “dark” matter merely because it’s not visible. As a Believer, I think that, if dark matter is anything, it is the physical manifestation of what is declared about Christ in Colossians Chapter 1. HE, is holding the entire Creation together. Check Colossians 1 online to get the entire picture.
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