New discovery sheds light on missing cosmic matter
Scientists have analysed data from 7 million galaxies and have stumbled upon a missing piece of the cosmic puzzle. Through their research, they have identified the missing matter in the Universe, a discovery that could alter our understanding of the mechanisms governing the cosmos. What are the implications for cosmological issues, ponders Simone Ferraro from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
A team of 75 scientists discovered this missing matter in the Universe. To uncover this piece of the puzzle, they had to analyse data from over 7 million galaxies gathered by DESI in Arizona. According to Popular Mechanics, the study led to the discovery of diffuse clouds of ionized hydrogen, which prove to be the missing matter in the cosmos's structure.
A new perspective on black holes' activity
The research revealed that the centres of black holes are more active than previously thought. Consequently, the ionized gas dispersed around galaxies extends further than anticipated. This discovery suggests that supermassive black holes may be active in different phases of their life cycles.
The research team utilised data from the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) to understand how the gas affects radiation scattering. The Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect played a critical role in pinpointing the location of the gas. This phenomenon involves a subtle change in the microwave background radiation, which is relic radiation from the Big Bang, as it traverses clusters of hot matter, such as galaxy clusters.
What impact does this discovery have on current knowledge?
The research findings significantly impact current understanding and are crucial for models of galaxy formation and evolution. Previous theories may not have accounted for the influence of gas expelled by black holes, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions about dark matter and the Universe's structure.
Mysterious dark matter constitutes 85 per cent of the Universe's matter, leaving scientists unable to locate the remaining 15 per cent. Researchers emphasise that comprehending the distribution of gas is key to resolving cosmological challenges and uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos.
