Astronomers find first 'dark galaxy'

NewScientist.com ^ | 10/20/03 | Stephen Battersby

[LibWhacker]

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Astronomers have found the first "dark galaxy" - a black cloud of hydrogen gas and exotic particles, devoid of stars. The gloomy galaxy lurks two million light years from Earth.

Joshua Simon, Timothy Robishaw and Leo Blitz of the University of California, Berkeley, observed a cloud of hydrogen gas called HVC 127-41-330 using the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico.

It appears to be rotating so fast it would fall apart unless it contains a strong, hidden source of gravity. The researchers therefore argue that the cloud must be at least 80 per cent dark matter, the hypothetical invisible substance whose gravity is supposed to explain why many objects in the cosmos move as fast as they do.

If they are right, this could resolve a problem in dark matter theory. In our local group of galaxies, we know of only about 35 dwarf galaxies, but simulations of galaxy formation using dark matter suggest there should be about 500.

If most of these dwarfs are dark galaxies with no stars, that would explain why we have missed them until now. The reason HVC 127-41-330 and its kind are dark may be because they have too small. Without enough mass, their gravitational forces would be too weak to cram gas together densely enough to form any stars.

[biblewonk]

There goes the neighborhood/local group.

[newgeezer]

LOL

("Boy da way Glenn Miller played...")

[coloradan]

"Dark matter" is offensive! I demand that it is called "matter of color."

[tractorman]

I thought this was another Howierd Dream article.

[js1138]

Wrinkle in Time.

[js1138]

ping

[Gottwnz]

I believes my galaxy has been disenfranchised,I wants my revote!

[LibWhacker]

LOL

[biblewonk]

Lets not start profiling these galaxies of color. Before you know it astronomers will be making all of these assumptions about the galaxies before they even get spectra on them.

[Textide]

I feel a disturbance in the Force.

[coloradan]

Spectral profiling!! Spectral profiling!!

[biblewonk]

Sir what's your business in this part of the local cluster.

[biblewonk]

Oh it's one of "Those Galaxies".

[Michael Barnes]

devoid of stars

Sweet! Less democrats for the media to pay attention to...

[Cronos]

D*****it, you got there ahead of me. This here Dark Galaxy must be the realm of the Sith Lords. Next we'll have Lord Vader coming.....

[newgeezer]

(from the article) a black cloud of hydrogen gas and exotic particles, devoid of stars.

Curiously, that does sound like it's describing your 'hood.

[RightWhale]

Recently several galaxies have been observed that apparently do not contain dark matter. They are no brighter than similar galaxies that do appear to contain dark matter, but that should be expected.

[stainlessbanner]

Part # HVC 127-41-330: Maytag replacement gasket

[GeekDejure]

It's always amazing the way turds swirl round 'n round and then mysteriously dissappear into a black hole at the bottom of the Toilet Universe !!!

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