Dark Matter is indeed an intriguing thing in space. Like normal matter, it cannot be felt or observed directly. It does not interact with light so even that door is closed. Dark Matter must be 'observed' through the gravitational effect it has on matter in space. The true nature of Dark Matter is unknown but scientists are sure that it performs vital function for the universe.

A new map of Dark Matter made with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is showing 'bridges' made up of Dark Matter that are connecting the galaxies. Scientists and researchers from the American Astronomical Society have made this map.

The map focusses on local universe, the neighbourhood that surrounds Milky Way galaxy.

Researchers trained a machine-learning program on simulations of visible and dark matter. Sophisticated set of simulations by the name of Illustris-TNG were used for this study. After the machine learning and testing phase, the scientists applied this to real-world data.

This threw up map of Dark Matter in local universe and its interaction with visible matter.

The map showed many things that were already known but also suggested new features like filaments of Dark Matter connecting Milky Way galaxy to other galaxies in the surroundings. Such connections were also seen between other galaxies in the neighbourhood.

The research was published in Astrophysical Journal.

Dark Matter is indeed an intriguing thing in space. Like normal matter, it cannot be felt or observed directly. It does not interact with light so even that door is closed.

Dark Matter is indeed an intriguing thing in space. Like normal matter, it cannot be felt or observed directly. It does not interact with light so even that door is closed. Dark Matter must be 'observed' through the gravitational effect it has on matter in space. The true nature of Dark Matter is unknown but scientists are sure that it performs vital function for the universe. A new map of Dark Matter made with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is showing 'bridges' made up of Dark Matter that are connecting the galaxies. Scientists and researchers from the American Astronomical Society have made this map. The map focusses on local universe, the neighbourhood that surrounds Milky Way galaxy. Researchers trained a machine-learning program on simulations of visible and dark matter. Sophisticated set of simulations by the name of Illustris-TNG were used for this study. After the machine learning and testing phase, the scientists applied this to real-world data. This threw up map of Dark Matter in local universe and its interaction with visible matter. The map showed many things that were already known but also suggested new features like filaments of Dark Matter connecting Milky Way galaxy to other galaxies in the surroundings. Such connections were also seen between other galaxies in the neighbourhood. The research was published in Astrophysical Journal.

AI-generated map of Dark Matter shows 'bridges' between galaxies

The mysterious glow in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy&nbsp;could be due to dark matter, as per a recent study.

Astronomers have been perplexed by the&nbsp;Galactic Center GeV Excess (GCE) ever since it was discovered in 2009.

Due to the very high densities of dark matter predicted to be present in the central region of our galaxy, the inner Milky Way is expected to be the single brightest source of dark matter annihilation radiation in the sky.

This region is astrophysically rich and complex, however, making the task of separating dark matter annihilation products from backgrounds potentially challenging.

NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope observes&nbsp;and identifies gamma rays from dark matter annihilations occurring cosmologically, as well as within the Galactic Halo, dwarf galaxies, microhalos, and the inner region of the Milky Way.

With Fermi, astronomers at long last have a superior tool to study how black holes, notorious for pulling matter in, can accelerate jets of gas outward at fantastic speeds.

Physicists are able to study subatomic particles at energies far greater than those seen in ground-based particle accelerators. And cosmologists are gaining valuable information about the birth and early evolution of the Universe.

In this study, the&nbsp;region surrounding the Galactic Center, a dark&nbsp;matter particle&nbsp;is annihilating with a cross-section within a factor of a few of the value predicted for a thermal relic.

However, researchers&nbsp;exclude the possibility that these photons originate from an astrophysical source or sources with similar morphology and spectral shape to those predicted in an annihilating dark matter scenario.

The mysterious glow in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy could be due to dark matter, as per a recent study. Astronomers have been perplexed by the Galactic Center GeV Excess (GCE) ever since it was discovered in 2009.

The mysterious glow in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy could be due to dark matter, as per a recent study. Astronomers have been perplexed by the Galactic Center GeV Excess (GCE) ever since it was discovered in 2009. Due to the very high densities of dark matter predicted to be present in the central region of our galaxy, the inner Milky Way is expected to be the single brightest source of dark matter annihilation radiation in the sky. This region is astrophysically rich and complex, however, making the task of separating dark matter annihilation products from backgrounds potentially challenging. NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope observes and identifies gamma rays from dark matter annihilations occurring cosmologically, as well as within the Galactic Halo, dwarf galaxies, microhalos, and the inner region of the Milky Way. With Fermi, astronomers at long last have a superior tool to study how black holes, notorious for pulling matter in, can accelerate jets of gas outward at fantastic speeds. Physicists are able to study subatomic particles at energies far greater than those seen in ground-based particle accelerators. And cosmologists are gaining valuable information about the birth and early evolution of the Universe. In this study, the region surrounding the Galactic Center, a dark matter particle is annihilating with a cross-section within a factor of a few of the value predicted for a thermal relic. However, researchers exclude the possibility that these photons originate from an astrophysical source or sources with similar morphology and spectral shape to those predicted in an annihilating dark matter scenario.

Mysterious glow in Milky Way's centre could be due to dark matter

Dark matter is something that has best scientific minds in the world a bit confused. After all, Dark Matter is extremely hard to spot. However, it is considered that most of the matter in the universe is Dark Matter.&nbsp;

Dark Matter can only be detected through the effect it has on celestial bodies. Now Physicists think that dark matter may be warming core of the planets.

Rebecca Leane, a theoretical particle physicist at MIT, and Juri Smirnov, an astroparticle physicist at the Ohio State University (OSU) think that Dark Matter particles are absorbed by planets and due to their gravity, reach the core where they have a warming effect. The researchers have published their study in Physical Review Letters.

They propose use of such exoplanets as 'Dark Matter detectors'. The Physicists say that if we see core of a planet for example, having 14 times the mass of Jupiter, heating up from 200 K to 500 K, we can assume it to be because of Dark Matter.

Not just any planet would do for this exercise, however. The planet must have cooled off after its birth as fiery mass. This means that it should be several billion years old. In addition, the planet must be sufficiently far from heat of the star around which it revolves.

It is considered that centre of a galaxy contains more Dark Matter. The researchers say if we detect a planet getting warmer as it comes closer to the centre. We can treat it as a 'smoking gun' for the effect of Dark Matter.

Dark matter is something that has best scientific minds in the world a bit confused. After all, Dark Matter is extremely hard to spot. However, it is considered that most of the matter in the universe is Dark Matter.

Dark matter is something that has best scientific minds in the world a bit confused. After all, Dark Matter is extremely hard to spot. However, it is considered that most of the matter in the universe is Dark Matter. Dark Matter can only be detected through the effect it has on celestial bodies. Now Physicists think that dark matter may be warming core of the planets. Rebecca Leane, a theoretical particle physicist at MIT, and Juri Smirnov, an astroparticle physicist at the Ohio State University (OSU) think that Dark Matter particles are absorbed by planets and due to their gravity, reach the core where they have a warming effect. The researchers have published their study in Physical Review Letters. They propose use of such exoplanets as 'Dark Matter detectors'. The Physicists say that if we see core of a planet for example, having 14 times the mass of Jupiter, heating up from 200 K to 500 K, we can assume it to be because of Dark Matter. Not just any planet would do for this exercise, however. The planet must have cooled off after its birth as fiery mass. This means that it should be several billion years old. In addition, the planet must be sufficiently far from heat of the star around which it revolves. It is considered that centre of a galaxy contains more Dark Matter. The researchers say if we detect a planet getting warmer as it comes closer to the centre. We can treat it as a 'smoking gun' for the effect of Dark Matter.

Dark matter in space may be heating up core of planets

The field of Astronomy has made progress&nbsp;by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future.

With the tremendous knowledge and technology we have today, it is hard to believe that there are things that are still unknown to us.

We think we know it all, but the universe always has something up its sleeve to surprise us every time.

A new analysis of Gaia satellite data has revealed that the closest star cluster to our Solar System is being torn apart due to some reason. Scientists believe that gravitational pull from something massive is causing this.

We do not know what this is.

Scientists think that dark matter is causing the star cluster to fall apart.

What is dark matter?

'Normal' matter is the one we can see, feel and so on. But dark matter is a tricky thing as is not possible to see or feel it. This becomes its detection very hard.

Scientists and researchers can only predict presence of dark matter by looking for effects of its gravitational pull on nearby 'visible' matter.

It has been said that dark matter makes up 80 per cent of all matter in the universe. Dark matter is considered to be important for the formation of galaxies.

It is possible, as per the scientists that dark matter may be the reason why the closest star structure to our solar system is being torn apart.

The field of Astronomy has made progress by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future.

The field of Astronomy has made progress by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future. With the tremendous knowledge and technology we have today, it is hard to believe that there are things that are still unknown to us. We think we know it all, but the universe always has something up its sleeve to surprise us every time. A new analysis of Gaia satellite data has revealed that the closest star cluster to our Solar System is being torn apart due to some reason. Scientists believe that gravitational pull from something massive is causing this. We do not know what this is. Scientists think that dark matter is causing the star cluster to fall apart. What is dark matter? 'Normal' matter is the one we can see, feel and so on. But dark matter is a tricky thing as is not possible to see or feel it. This becomes its detection very hard. Scientists and researchers can only predict presence of dark matter by looking for effects of its gravitational pull on nearby 'visible' matter. It has been said that dark matter makes up 80 per cent of all matter in the universe. Dark matter is considered to be important for the formation of galaxies. It is possible, as per the scientists that dark matter may be the reason why the closest star structure to our solar system is being torn apart.

Something is tearing apart star cluster closest to Solar System

Stupefied astronomers on Wednesday unveiled the first and only known galaxy without dark matter, the invisible and poorly-understood substance thought to make up a quarter of the Universe.

The discovery could revise or even upend theories of how galaxies are formed, they reported in the journal Nature.

"This is really bizarre," said co-author Roberto Abraham, an astronomer at the University of Toronto.&nbsp

"For a galaxy this size, it should have 30 times as much dark matter as regular matter," he told AFP by phone. "What we found is that there is no dark matter at all."&nbsp

"That shouldn't be possible," he added.&nbsp

There are 200 billion observable galaxies, perhaps more, astronomers estimate.

Some 65 million light-years from Earth, NGC1052-DF2 -- "DF2" for short -- is about the same size as our Milky Way, but has 100 to 1,000 times fewer stars.

Dark matter's existence is inferred from the motion of objects affected by its gravitational pull.

"It is conventionally believed to be an integral part of all galaxies, the glue that holds them together and the underlying scaffolding on which they are built," said co-author Allison Merritt from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, in Germany.

One surprise after another

So-called ordinary matter -- including stars, gases, dust, planets and everything on them -- accounts for only five percent of all content in the Universe.&nbsp

Dark matter and dark energy comprise the rest, and scientists have yet to directly observe either.

The discovery was made with a new kind of telescope developed by Abraham and lead author Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University.

Unlike mirror-based devices, the mobile Dragonfly Telescope Array is composed entirely of nano-coated lenses, 48 in all.

"Conventional telescopes are good at finding small, faint objects. Ours is really good at finding large ones," said Abraham.&nbsp

Indeed, over the last few years Dokkum and Abraham have used it to uncover a whole new category of sparsely populated "ultra diffuse galaxies" -- and sparked a cottage industry as astronomers struggle to explain their strange properties.

"Everything about them is a surprise, starting with the very fact they exist," Abraham said.

Up to now, the analysis of galaxies has shown a fairly tight ratio of dark to ordinary matter. But this new class "is breaking all the rules," he said.

The first anomalies discovered were galaxies almost entirely composed of dark matter. That was odd enough.

But the real shocker was DF2, which has virtually none at all.

An 'OMG' moment

DF2 was first identified by Russian astronomers conducting a photographic survey, but it's uniqueness didn't come to light until later.

Dokkum's team used the Keck telescopes in Hawaii to track the motion of several star clusters -- each with about 100,000 stars -- within the galaxy.

The clusters, they found, travelled at the same speed as the galaxy, itself moving through the Universe. Had there been dark matter, the clusters would be moving slower or faster.

Abrahams recalls seeing the graphic plot showing the motion of DF2's constellations for the first time, and wondering if something was amiss.

"We asked ourselves where we had screwed up if the measurements were wrong," he said.

"Then I suddenly realised the implications. That's as close to an 'Oh My God' moment as I got."

A galaxy entirely bereft of dark matter raises vexing questions that, so far, have stumped astronomers.

"It challenges the standard ideas of how we think galaxies work," said Dokkum.

Figuring out how something as big as a galaxy is held together without dark matter will be difficult, but understanding how it formed in the first place will be even harder, he said.

Whatever the explanation, a galaxy with no dark matter poses an ironic challenge to astronomers who question the very existence of the substances, according to the study.

Dark matter's existence is inferred from the motion of objects affected by its gravitational pull.

Stupefied astronomers on Wednesday unveiled the first and only known galaxy without dark matter, the invisible and poorly-understood substance thought to make up a quarter of the Universe. The discovery could revise or even upend theories of how galaxies are formed, they reported in the journal Nature. "This is really bizarre," said co-author Roberto Abraham, an astronomer at the University of Toronto. "For a galaxy this size, it should have 30 times as much dark matter as regular matter," he told AFP by phone. "What we found is that there is no dark matter at all." "That shouldn't be possible," he added. There are 200 billion observable galaxies, perhaps more, astronomers estimate. Some 65 million light-years from Earth, NGC1052-DF2 -- "DF2" for short -- is about the same size as our Milky Way, but has 100 to 1,000 times fewer stars. Dark matter's existence is inferred from the motion of objects affected by its gravitational pull. "It is conventionally believed to be an integral part of all galaxies, the glue that holds them together and the underlying scaffolding on which they are built," said co-author Allison Merritt from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, in Germany. One surprise after another So-called ordinary matter -- including stars, gases, dust, planets and everything on them -- accounts for only five percent of all content in the Universe. Dark matter and dark energy comprise the rest, and scientists have yet to directly observe either. The discovery was made with a new kind of telescope developed by Abraham and lead author Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University. Unlike mirror-based devices, the mobile Dragonfly Telescope Array is composed entirely of nano-coated lenses, 48 in all. "Conventional telescopes are good at finding small, faint objects. Ours is really good at finding large ones," said Abraham. Indeed, over the last few years Dokkum and Abraham have used it to uncover a whole new category of sparsely populated "ultra diffuse galaxies" -- and sparked a cottage industry as astronomers struggle to explain their strange properties. "Everything about them is a surprise, starting with the very fact they exist," Abraham said. Up to now, the analysis of galaxies has shown a fairly tight ratio of dark to ordinary matter. But this new class "is breaking all the rules," he said. The first anomalies discovered were galaxies almost entirely composed of dark matter. That was odd enough. But the real shocker was DF2, which has virtually none at all. An 'OMG' moment DF2 was first identified by Russian astronomers conducting a photographic survey, but it's uniqueness didn't come to light until later. Dokkum's team used the Keck telescopes in Hawaii to track the motion of several star clusters -- each with about 100,000 stars -- within the galaxy. The clusters, they found, travelled at the same speed as the galaxy, itself moving through the Universe. Had there been dark matter, the clusters would be moving slower or faster. Abrahams recalls seeing the graphic plot showing the motion of DF2's constellations for the first time, and wondering if something was amiss. "We asked ourselves where we had screwed up if the measurements were wrong," he said. "Then I suddenly realised the implications. That's as close to an 'Oh My God' moment as I got." A galaxy entirely bereft of dark matter raises vexing questions that, so far, have stumped astronomers. "It challenges the standard ideas of how we think galaxies work," said Dokkum. Figuring out how something as big as a galaxy is held together without dark matter will be difficult, but understanding how it formed in the first place will be even harder, he said. Whatever the explanation, a galaxy with no dark matter poses an ironic challenge to astronomers who question the very existence of the substances, according to the study.

Astronomers find the 'impossible': A galaxy without dark matter

Vera Rubin, a US&nbsp;astronomer who pioneered work on invisible dark matter in the universe and who some colleagues felt was overlooked for a Nobel Prize, has died at 88, her son said on Monday.

Rubin died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Princeton, New Jersey, and had suffered from dementia for several years, Allan Rubin, a geosciences professor at Princeton University, said in an email.

Rubin, a Philadelphia native, used galaxies&#39; rotations to discover the first direct evidence of dark matter in the 1970s while working at the Carnegie Institution in Washington.

Working with spectrograph designer Kent Ford, Rubin found that material at galaxies&#39; edges rotated at the same rate as material in the center. The discovery contradicted a law of physics that said the greater mass in the center, such as dust, stars and gas, meant it should move faster than the edge, where there was less mass.

The explanation was a halo of dark matter around the galaxies that spread mass throughout the galaxies. Dark matter has not been directly observed but has been inferred through work by Rubin and other astronomers and physicists.

Scientists have discovered that a small part of dark matter is made of neutrinos - tiny, fast-moving particles that do not really interact with regular matter.

Emily Levesque, an astronomer at the University of Washington, told Astronomy Magazine in June that Rubin deserved the Nobel Prize since the discovery of dark matter had revolutionized astronomy and the concept of the universe.

The will of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the prizes, &quot;describes the physics prize as recognizing &lsquo;the most important discovery&rsquo; within the field of physics. If dark matter doesn&rsquo;t fit that description, I don&rsquo;t know what does,&rdquo; Levesque said.

Rubin graduated from Vassar College in 1948 with a degree in astronomy. She earned a master&#39;s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from Georgetown University in Washington.

She was the second female astronomer to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received the National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Rubin was on the Georgetown faculty before working at the Carnegie Institution.

(Reuters)

Rubin died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Princeton, New Jersey, and had suffered from dementia for several years, her son said

Vera Rubin, a US astronomer who pioneered work on invisible dark matter in the universe and who some colleagues felt was overlooked for a Nobel Prize, has died at 88, her son said on Monday. Rubin died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Princeton, New Jersey, and had suffered from dementia for several years, Allan Rubin, a geosciences professor at Princeton University, said in an email. Rubin, a Philadelphia native, used galaxies' rotations to discover the first direct evidence of dark matter in the 1970s while working at the Carnegie Institution in Washington. Working with spectrograph designer Kent Ford, Rubin found that material at galaxies' edges rotated at the same rate as material in the center. The discovery contradicted a law of physics that said the greater mass in the center, such as dust, stars and gas, meant it should move faster than the edge, where there was less mass. The explanation was a halo of dark matter around the galaxies that spread mass throughout the galaxies. Dark matter has not been directly observed but has been inferred through work by Rubin and other astronomers and physicists. Scientists have discovered that a small part of dark matter is made of neutrinos - tiny, fast-moving particles that do not really interact with regular matter. Emily Levesque, an astronomer at the University of Washington, told Astronomy Magazine in June that Rubin deserved the Nobel Prize since the discovery of dark matter had revolutionized astronomy and the concept of the universe. The will of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the prizes, "describes the physics prize as recognizing ‘the most important discovery’ within the field of physics. If dark matter doesn’t fit that description, I don’t know what does,” Levesque said. Rubin graduated from Vassar College in 1948 with a degree in astronomy. She earned a master's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from Georgetown University in Washington. She was the second female astronomer to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences and received the National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton in 1993. Rubin was on the Georgetown faculty before working at the Carnegie Institution. (Reuters)

Vera Rubin, dark matter pioneer dies aged 88

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