DARK MATTER: it was always there

In summary, a team of Italian physicists noticed evidence that was not taken seriously, but another team has now confirmed the data. However, there are still conflicting results from other experiments and the refusal to release data by the original team makes others skeptical.
  • #1
zaybu
53
2
It seems that we had the evidence, but no one had noticed except a team of Italian physicists who weren't taken seriously.

At last, the data was confirmed by another team.

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/26861/?ref=rss
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The region where CoGeNT and DAMA agree has been excluded by XENON100 and I think maybe CDMS.
 
  • #3
From the link:

Dan Hooper at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Chris Kelso from the University of Chicago review the data from CoGenT and DAMA/LIBRA and say they are compatible with each other. "If the true phase peaks in early May, this would represent a modulation consistent with that reported by the DAMA/LIBRA collaboration," they say.

Aren't they confirming the data?
 
  • #4
As I said, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The region where CoGeNT and DAMA agree has been excluded by XENON100 and I think maybe CDMS.
 
  • #5
zaybu said:
It seems that we had the evidence, but no one had noticed except a team of Italian physicists who weren't taken seriously.

At last, the data was confirmed by another team.

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/26861/?ref=rss

I agree with Vanadium 50, let's wait and see what the other experiments show.
One of the reasons that the DAMA team is not taken more seriously is that they refuse to release their data for others to see and analyze. This tends to make people skeptical.
 

FAQ: DARK MATTER: it was always there

What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to make up about 85% of the total mass in the universe. Unlike normal matter, it does not emit or absorb light and is therefore invisible to telescopes. Its existence is inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter.

How do we know dark matter was always there?

Scientists have observed the effects of dark matter on the rotation of galaxies, the bending of light in gravitational lensing, and the large-scale structure of the universe. These observations suggest that dark matter has been present since the beginning of the universe and has played a crucial role in its formation and evolution.

What is the evidence for the existence of dark matter?

Aside from its gravitational effects, there is currently no direct evidence for the existence of dark matter. However, many indirect observations, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation, support the idea that dark matter is a fundamental component of the universe.

Can dark matter be detected?

While dark matter itself cannot be directly detected, scientists are working on various experiments and technologies to indirectly detect its presence. These include studying the interactions of dark matter particles with normal matter and using advanced telescopes and detectors to observe its effects.

What is the current understanding of dark matter?

Dark matter remains a mystery in modern astrophysics, and scientists are still working to understand its nature and properties. The leading theory is that it is made up of a new type of particle that does not interact with light or other forms of matter except through gravity. However, this theory is still being tested and refined through ongoing research and experiments.

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