Hubble image showing galaxy cluster MACSJ 1206, with individual galaxies shown inset, and warped by an astronomical effect known as gravitational lensing. Image: NASA, ESA, G. Caminha (University of Groningen), M. Meneghetti (INAFObservatory of Astrophysics and Space Science of Bologna), P. Natarajan (Yale University), CLASH team
New research, in which empirical data failed to jibe with theoretical calculations, shows just how much physicists still have to learn about dark matter.
A mismatch between astronomical data and computer simulations has left a team of scientists scratching their heads, in what is a frustrating case of reality not agreeing with theory.
The scientists, led by Yale astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan, took measurements of several galaxy clusters to investigate the presence of dark matter. Annoyingly, this data, when compared to theoretical computer models, did not agree. Writing in their ensuing Science study, the authors “suggest that systematic issues with simulations or incorrect assumptions about the properties of dark matter could explain our results.”
In other words, it’s back to the drawing board.
Far more stuff exists in the universe than we can actually see, as evidenced by the way distant objects interact with each other. This missing stuff is called dark matter, and, despite constituting the vast majority of matter in the universe, it doesn’t emit, absorb, or reflect light. But it’s pretty important stuff for something so elusive, as it binds stars together inside of galaxies, while chaining galaxies together to form clusters.