An international team of astronomers have conclusive new evidence that a recently discovered "dark galaxy" is, in fact, an object the size of a galaxy, made entirely of dark matter.
There ARE all kinds of problems with the whole concept of "dark matter," though. Nobody really seemes to know what it is, so, in a sense, it's "dark" conceptually as well as physically.
They showed a picture of empty space as proof. Yup, a dark galaxy in a dark background. Hmmm... Are they going to call it "The Emperor's New Galaxy"?
ReplyDeleteArnik,
ReplyDeleteWhat part of the discoverers' methodology don't you understand?
Hi, Arnik---
ReplyDeleteFrom the article:
"It was only visible in radio telescopes, which could detect the radio emissions from neutral hydrogen gas located in the cloud."
See also:
http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/2007-0613darkgalaxy1.jpg
This shows the basic outline and structural parameters of the dark galaxy, as shown by the red lines.
There ARE all kinds of problems with the whole concept of "dark matter," though. Nobody really seemes to know what it is, so, in a sense, it's "dark" conceptually as well as physically.
ReplyDelete