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Credit: James Wadsley
(McMaster U.) et al.
Explanation:
Where is most of the normal matter in the Universe?
Recent observations from the
Chandra X-ray Observatory confirm that it is in
hot gas filaments strewn throughout the universe.
"Normal matter" refers to
known elements and familiar fundamental particles.
Previously, the amount of
normal matter predicted by the
physics of the early universe exceeded the normal matter in
galaxies and
clusters of galaxies,
and so was observationally unaccounted for.
The Chandra observations found evidence for the massive and hot
intergalactic medium filaments by noting a slight dimming in
distant quasar
X-rays likely caused by hot
gas absorption.
The above image
derives from a computer simulation
showing an expected typical distribution of hot gas in a
huge slice of the universe
2.7 billion light-years across and 0.3 billion light years thick.
The distribution of much more abundant
dark matter likely mimics the normal matter,
although the composition of the
dark matter remains mysterious.
Both the distribution and the
nature of the even more abundant
dark energy also remain unknown.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: universe - dark matter - hot gas
Publications with words: universe - dark matter - hot gas
See also: