A groundbreaking study led by astronomers, including Boryana Hadzhiyska from the University of California, Berkeley, has revealed potential insights into the vast quantities of non-dark matter that remain unexplained in the universe. Second, the researchers propose that hydrogen gas clouds were hidden in plain sight. They think these clouds might account for a big part of the missing matter. The results are based on data collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. Today, they posit, the universe holds more hidden wonders than we ever expected.
The universe consists mostly of dark energy. Regular matter only makes up about 15% of its total mass. A lot of ordinary (non-dark) matter is missing in the current model of the composition of the Universe. Hadzhiyska and her team believe their research sheds light on this enigmatic matter, which is crucial for understanding the universe’s formation and evolution.
The Role of DESI and Atacama Cosmology Telescope
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), shown here during commissioning, is based at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. It includes a vital role in measuring the faint filaments or halos of ionized hydrogen gas at the peripheries of galaxies. The scientists used DESI’s power to stack thousands of pictures of up to 7 million galaxies. This new and innovative approach allowed them to measure those elusive halos much more effectively.
The new study merges data collected by University of Colorado Boulder scientists using the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile. It provides an unprecedented portrait of the cosmic landscape. The combination of these advanced instruments has enabled astronomers to probe deeper into the universe’s structure and identify potential reservoirs of missing hydrogen gas.
Insights from Researchers
Boryana Hadzhiyska expressed excitement regarding their findings, stating that one hypothesis suggests black holes may “turn on and off occasionally in what is called a duty cycle.” This idea might shed light on many of the existing galaxy matter distribution dynamics.
The authors, including Hadzhiyska and coauthor Simone Ferraro, were excited by what their measurements could show. They hope these new measurements will lead to finding all of the missing gas. It’s currently still out for peer review, but accepted by the journal Physical Review Letters for publication.
Joanna Thompson is a New York–based independent science journalist. She has a B.S. in Zoology and a B.A. in Creative Writing from North Carolina State University, and she wrote for us about what this research means for the future. That’s hard, because she noted the universe has thrown us a curveball. By that, she was partly alluding to the distinct possibility that the largest-ever map of space could upend our prevailing theories about dark energy.
Future Implications
The ongoing research into the universe’s missing matter has deep implications for cosmology in general and our understanding of cosmic evolution, specifically. Researchers are currently scrutinizing data from both DESI and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. Their goal is to discover the next game-changing evidence that will rewrite our understanding of major galactic structures and how they change over cosmic time.
The teamwork between astronomers and scientists in many disciplines is an inspiring example of the dedication to answering some of the most fundamental questions about our universe. Academically, studies such as this one glide through peer review and publication. They lay the groundwork for pushing the frontier of discovery in astronomy and cosmology.
