Missing Matter in Universe Found
10 months ago
- #astronomy
- #dark-matter
- #cosmology
- Dark matter makes up the majority of the universe's matter, while ordinary matter accounts for only 16%.
- Half of ordinary matter was previously 'missing' due to its diffuse nature.
- Astronomers used fast radio bursts (FRBs) to detect and account for all missing ordinary matter.
- FRBs illuminate intergalactic matter, allowing measurement of its density and distribution.
- The study analyzed 69 FRBs, including the most distant one ever recorded (9.1 billion light-years away).
- 76% of normal matter resides in the intergalactic medium, 15% in galaxy halos, and the rest within galaxies.
- The findings align with cosmological simulations and help understand galaxy growth.
- FRBs may also help determine neutrino mass, potentially leading to new physics beyond the standard model.
- Future telescopes like DSA-2000 will enhance FRB detection and cosmological research.