New radio-burst method helps locate universe's missing ordinary matter
MIT scientists have developed a new method to locate missing ordinary matter in the universe by analyzing the 'smearing' effect on fast radio bursts. By comparing these signals with galaxy locations, researchers can map the distribution of matter that has remained hidden for decades.
Why it matters
This discovery helps resolve a long-standing cosmic conflict regarding the discrepancy between predicted and observed ordinary matter in the universe.
by Jennifer Chu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Simulated gas distribution around galaxies. Credit: IllustrisTNG Stars and galaxies make up much of the universe's ordinary, observable matter. But for decades, scientists have wrestled with a cosmic conflict: There should be much more.
Physicists have good estimates of how much matter was present in the early universe. Shortly after the Big Bang, roughly 83% of all matter in the universe was composed of invisible dark matter, with ordinary matter making up the rest. And yet, these estimates exceed the amount of ordinary matter seen in stars and galaxies today. Where, then, did all the missing ordinary matter go?
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