Mining for dark matter
LUX detector, funded by NSF and DOE, searches for WIMPs in 4,800ft underground South Dakota mine, aiming to detect rare dark matter particles, the largest discovery since antimatter in the 1930s.
Dark Matter
Articles tagged with Dark Matter
Stanford physicist aids search for dark matter deep in Minnesota mine
Researchers detected no WIMPs, but the null result is valuable as it informs future detector designs. The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search will move to a deeper site at Snolab in Canada with larger detectors to increase chances of finding dark matter.
COUPP experiment tightens limits on dark matter
The COUPP experiment has set a new limit on the spin-dependent properties of WIMPs, contradicting previous claims. By using a glass jar filled with CF3I, scientists study statistical variations between bubble photographs to detect dark matter particles.
Hubble finds double Einstein ring
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a double Einstein ring, caused by the bending of light from two distant galaxies behind a massive foreground galaxy. The discovery offers insights into dark matter and the nature of distant galaxies.
UBC astronomer produces first detailed map of dark matter in a supercluster
For the first time, astronomers have directly visualized the distribution of dark matter in a supercluster, allowing for the detection of irregular clumps and detailed shapes. This breakthrough study, led by UBC researcher Catherine Heymans, uses NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to map the Abell 901/902 supercluster.
The violent lives of galaxies: Caught in the cosmic matter web
Galaxies in crowded environments, like superclusters, experience violent lives due to high-speed collisions and stripping away of gas. The Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys mapped dark matter scaffolding, revealing dense clumps that match the location of old galaxies.
Vast cloud of antimatter traced to binary stars
A giant cloud of antimatter surrounding the galactic center has been traced back to binary star systems containing black holes or neutron stars. The cloud's imbalance matches the distribution of these binaries, suggesting they are churning out most of the antimatter.
Were the first stars dark?
A new study suggests that the universe's first stars were dark, invisible 'dark stars' powered by dark matter. These massive stars could be billions of years old and would generate gamma rays, neutrinos, and antimatter.
Dark energy -- 10 years on
Three quarters of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious substance that repels gravity. New space missions and improved observation methods will help uncover its secrets.
Scientists solve cosmological puzzle
Researchers solved a longstanding problem of the Cold Dark Matter cosmology model by exposing a critical relationship between interstellar gas and dark matter in galaxy birth. The study showed that dense gas clouds in galaxies form massive stars, which drive 'sloshing' effects that kick dark matter out of the galaxy's center.
The dark matter of the universe has a long lifetime
Astronomers analyze galaxy clusters and discover that dark matter, a mysterious invisible force, has an incredibly long lifetime. The research suggests that axions, a type of particle with extra dimensions, could be the culprit behind this prolonged existence.
Dilaton could affect abundance of dark matter particles
Research suggests that dilaton effects could reduce the abundance of stable dark matter particles like neutralinos by a factor of ten. This finding has implications for supersymmetric searches in colliders and challenges standard cosmology theories.
Study sheds new light on early star formation in the universe
A groundbreaking study reveals that the first stars formed at the start of the Universe depend on dark matter's nature. The research suggests that some of these primordial stars can still be found in the Milky Way galaxy today.
Oldest stars may shed light on dark matter, researchers report in Science
The universe's earliest stars, formed in warm dark matter strings, could help clarify whether the universe is made of warm or cold dark matter. These ancient stars would have formed in long filaments and could provide new insights into dark matter's energy and its impact on galaxy formation.
University of Minnesota astronomers find gaping hole in the Universe
Astronomers found a gigantic hole in the Universe, spanning nearly a billion light-years, empty of stars, galaxies, gas, and dark matter. The void's existence was confirmed by studying data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, which revealed a significant drop in galaxy count in a region southwest of Orion.
Old idea spawns new way to study dark matter
Researchers employed a new technique to estimate dark matter location and calculate its mass, shedding light on the galactic halo's composition. The method revealed two massive dark objects, one with 7 times the sun's mass, in the Milky Way's outer reaches.
Johns Hopkins team finds ring of dark matter
A team of astronomers has discovered a unique structure of dark matter in the galaxy cluster Cl 0024+17, with a ring shape unlike that of galaxies and hot gas. The discovery is among the strongest evidence for dark matter's existence, supporting theoretical models of its behavior under gravity.
Cosmologically speaking, diamonds may actually be forever
A paper by Lawrence Krauss and Robert Scherrer suggests that matter will dominate over radiation in an ever-expanding universe dominated by dark energy. This means that ordinary matter particles, such as protons and neutrons, will remain stable for trillions of years, potentially allowing life to endure forever.
The first 3-D map of the universe
Researchers used COSMOS field data to measure large-scale distribution of matter, revealing concentration of luminous and dark matter. The 3D map provides insight into the formation and evolution of galaxies and may shed light on dark energy.
Scientists elucidate the origin of the darkest galaxies in the universe
Researchers propose explanation for formation of dwarf spheroidals, faint galaxies composed almost entirely of dark matter. Simulations suggest environmental effects, including ram pressure and tidal shocking, strip away luminous matter, leaving behind dark-matter shadow.
First 3-D map of the universe's dark matter scaffolding
Astronomers have created the first 3D map of the universe's dark matter distribution, revealing a web-like structure that confirms conventional theories on how galaxies formed. The map was derived from the Cosmic Evolution Survey and offers unprecedented detail on the large-scale filamentary structure of dark matter.
Astronomers report first direct evidence for dark matter
Researchers have found direct proof of dark matter's existence in a study using state-of-the-art telescopes. The team observed two merging galaxy clusters, revealing massive amounts of non-luminous matter that don't interact with normal matter.
Far away galaxy under the microscope
Scientists have discovered large, rotating disc galaxies that formed on a rapid time scale, just 3 billion years after the Big Bang. These findings reveal unprecedented details about the anatomy of these distant proto-disc galaxies, including their gas motions and star formation rates.
Galaxy evolution in cyber universe matches astronomical observations in fine detail
A team of scientists at the University of Chicago has verified the main features of the cold dark matter model by comparing supercomputer simulations to recent astronomical observations. The simulations accurately reproduced the distribution of galaxies in the early stages of the universe's evolution.
XMM-Newton digs into the secrets of fossil galaxy clusters
A team of astronomers studied the most massive and hot known fossil group, RX J1416.4+2315, to understand its formation. They found that a high-temperature halo extending over three million light years indicates the cluster's large mass.
Cornell study finds that galaxies cluster near dark matter
A Cornell University study reveals that galaxies in the early universe tend to cluster near large clumps of dark matter. The research uses data from the Spitzer Wide-area InfraRed Extragalactic survey and confirms that ultraluminous infrared galaxies are precursors to galaxy clusters.
Milky Way galaxy is warped and vibrating like a drum
Researchers have charted a warp in the Milky Way's hydrogen gas layer, finding it vibrates like a drum due to interaction with dark matter. The Magellanic Clouds' passage through the dark matter halo creates a wake that enhances their gravitational influence on the disk.
JHU-STScI team maps dark matter in startling detail
Astronomers have created detailed maps of invisible dark matter in two young galaxy clusters, lending credence to the theory that galaxies form at dense regions of cosmic webs. The study used the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys to overcome atmospheric turbulence and measure subtle gravitational lensing effects.
'Missing' dark matter really there, says Hebrew University cosmologist
A recent study published in Nature refutes previous claims of missing dark matter in elliptical galaxies, suggesting that massive dark-matter halos are present around these galaxies as well. The research uses simulations of galaxy mergers to explain the observations made by earlier studies.
New analysis puts dark matter back into elliptical galaxies
Researchers used simulations to show that dark matter halos are detectable in disk galaxies, but their absence in elliptical galaxies can be explained by the merger process. The study provides new insights into the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies.
Scientists devise way to measure RNA synthesis on the fly in a live cell
Researchers have created a method to monitor RNA synthesis and promoter activity in real-time within a single living cell. This breakthrough could help understand the role of RNA molecules in controlling gene expression and may lead to new discoveries in drug development and biology.
Seeing the invisible – first dark galaxy discovered?
Astronomers have detected an invisible galaxy made mostly of dark matter for the first time using radio telescopes. The discovery was made by a British-led team and confirmed with the Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico.
Astronomers find part of universe's missing matter
Scientists at Ohio State University and colleagues have discovered a sizeable chunk of the universe's missing baryons, estimated to match the amount that went missing 10 billion years ago. The finding suggests dark matter may be responsible for the gas's presence in super-hot rivers surrounding galaxies.
Astronomers find gravity's signature in galaxy distribution
The SDSS team detected ripples in the galaxy distribution made by sound waves, providing evidence that galaxies grew via gravity. The findings support the standard cosmological model and provide insights into dark matter and dark energy's properties.
Substructure maps show that dark matter clumps in galaxies
A Yale astronomer and her colleagues used gravitational lensing techniques to create a spatial map demonstrating the clumped substructure of dark matter inside galaxy clusters. The study found an excellent agreement between observations and theoretical predictions, supporting the concordance model.
High energy mystery lurks at the galactic centre
Astronomers have detected high-energy gamma rays emanating from the center of the Milky Way galaxy, sparking debate about the nature of these mysterious emissions. The observation suggests a giant supernova explosion as the possible source, which could accelerate cosmic gamma rays to unprecedented energies.
The cosmic revolution: Task force outlines role of particle physics in a new universe
The Quantum Universe report outlines nine fundamental questions in response to research funding agency requests, focusing on particle physics' role in understanding dark matter, dark energy, and more. The report emphasizes new knowledge from particle physics is needed to answer exciting scientific questions of this century.
Dark matter and dark energy may be different aspects of a single unknown force
Theoretical physicist Robert J. Scherrer proposes a model that explains dark matter and dark energy as two sides of the same coin, using an exotic form of energy called scalar fields. This unifying idea avoids previous problems and could potentially explain the mysterious phenomena.
Key theory of galaxy formation no longer conflicts with observations
Astrophysicists have found a solution to the long-standing problem of dwarf galaxies in supercomputer simulations, validating the cold dark matter theory. The new simulations suggest that small dwarf galaxies could have been more massive in the past and formed stars before being consumed by larger galaxies.
Dark matter experiment narrows search for WIMPS
The CDMS II experiment has narrowed the search for WIMPs, a type of dark matter particle. The results show that the interaction rate of a WIMP with ordinary matter should be less than one interaction every 25 days per kilogram of germanium.
Highway of WIMPs may solve cosmic mystery
A study suggests that debris from the gobbled-up Sagittarius dwarf galaxy may be 'smoking gun' for detecting dark matter's WIMPs. The combination of WIMPs from the Milky Way and Sagittarius could produce a distinct pattern on the DAMA detector, confirming their existence.
UA astronomers report the widest lensed quasar
Astronomers have detected a lensed quasar more than twice as wide as any previously reported, offering insights into dark matter and its distribution. The discovery provides evidence for the presence of massive galaxy clusters, which can be used to study dark matter.
Astronomers see era of rapid galaxy formation
Astronomers have found evidence of rapid galaxy formation in the early universe, including ultra-massive black holes and mature galaxies that formed at an unprecedented rate. This discovery poses a significant challenge to the cold dark matter theory, which predicts galaxies formed through a bottom-up process.
'Dark matter' forms ghost universe that mirrors our own, new theory shows
Dark matter forms smaller clumps that resemble galaxies and globular clusters in our luminous universe. Computer simulations show these clumps have intricate substructures and dynamic lives independent of visible matter, leading to a template for the visible universe.
Physics tip sheet #36 - July 30, 2003
Researchers at UCLA created a 30-cm diameter plasma laser by applying a nonuniform magnetic field. Meanwhile, scientists have made rapid advances in detecting dark matter using weak gravitational lensing experiments. A paper also examines the emerging behavior of complex systems in electronic bidding on online auction sites like eBay.
U of T team maps halos around galaxies
The study provides strong support for the popular cold dark matter model of the universe, suggesting that galaxies are surrounded by massive, three-dimensional halos. The team measured the shapes of over 1.5 million distant galaxies using weak gravitational lensing, revealing that dark matter halos extend far beyond visible stars.
Hubble tracks down a galaxy cluster's dark matter
The team reconstructed a mass map of the galaxy cluster using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope data, tracing dark matter's distribution with respect to galaxies. The study reveals that dark matter clumps together in certain regions, supporting the idea that clusters assemble through the merger of smaller groups.
UCI study finds dark matter is for superWIMPs
Physicists at the University of California, Irvine have discovered superweakly interacting massive particles (superWIMPs) that may constitute up to one-quarter of the universe's mass. These new particles are predicted to be stable and could provide an alternative explanation for dark matter.
Physicist probes dark, violent side of the universe; studies highest energy photons
Scientists using Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope discover energetic gamma-ray flares from active galaxies, revealing relativistic jets and compact emission regions. The study also holds promise to reveal nature of 'dark matter' and 'dark energy', which dominate universe's mass budget.
New evidence for dark dwarf galaxies supports dark matter theory
Astronomers have found evidence for dark dwarf galaxies that support the theory of cold dark matter. The study analyzed gravitational lensing effects on distant galaxies, revealing the presence of hundreds of invisible dwarf galaxies surrounding large galaxies.
First difinitive mass measurement of a gravitational microlens
Researchers from Ohio State University have successfully measured the mass of a gravitational microlens in a dim binary star system 6,500 light-years away. This technique could be used to detect dark matter within our galaxy and help explain the missing mass of the universe.
Rutgers astronomer sheds new light on dark matter
Astronomers have shed new light on dark matter distribution by tracing it closely to galaxy patterns. They found that dark matter is distributed in a parallel pattern to galaxies and makes up about seven times more mass than ordinary matter.
First image and spectrum of a dark matter object
A team of astronomers has directly observed a Dark Matter object, confirming the theory that it consists of small, faint stars in galaxies like our Milky Way. The detection was made using the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope.
Astronomers unveil first detection of dark matter object in the Milky Way
Researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have detected a dark matter object in the Milky Way using microlensing light data and spectroscopy. The team measured the mass, distance, and velocity of the MACHO, a small star with a mass between 5% and 10% of the sun's mass at a distance of 600 light-years.
Astronomers unveil first detection of dark matter object in the Milky Way
Researchers have detected a massive compact halo object, or MACHO, using gravitational microlensing event data from the Hubble Space Telescope and European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. The object is estimated to be 5-10% the mass of the sun and is thought to comprise up to 50% of the Milky Way's dark matter content.
Astronomers gain best glimpse yet of what our universe is made of -- and not much of it is matter as we know it
The universe consists mostly of mysterious dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of its mass. Ordinary matter accounts for only 5%, a finding confirmed by observations of the cosmic microwave background.
Starbursts triggered by violent collisions lit up young galaxies in the early universe, according to new study of galaxy evolution
Researchers used supercomputer simulations to test two competing scenarios explaining high-redshift galaxies. The collisional starburst scenario, which suggests small galaxies trigger intense bursts of star formation, received strong support from the simulation results.
Press Advisory: Inner Space/Outer Space II Symposium
The Inner Space/Outer Space II Symposium will explore questions of the hour in particle astrophysics, including the origins of the universe and dark matter. The four-day agenda includes presentations on Extra Dimensions, the Accelerating Universe, and Beyond the Standard Models.
Understanding Dark Matter: At UD, Bartol Researcher's Cosmic Pursuits Earn Prestigious Humboldt Prize
Qaisar Shafi's research proposes two distinct components of dark matter, with the 'cold' component residing in galaxy haloes and the 'hot' component gravitationally trapped by large-scale structures. This new understanding could guide experimental work and incorporate dark matter into models of the universe.
For The First Time A Computer Simulates The Evolution Of A Large Fraction Of TheWhole Observable Universe
A team of astronomers used a supercomputer to simulate the growth of cosmic structure in a region comparable to the entire observable Universe. The simulation revealed patterns of dark matter walls and filaments, as well as massive voids and giant galaxy clusters.