Is Dark Matter Only Present on a Galactic Scale?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of dark matter affecting the movement of solar system bodies, similar to its effects on galaxies and stars. The precision of measurements for solar system orbits is mentioned, as well as the potential density of dark matter in the solar system. It is concluded that the amount of dark matter in the solar system is estimated to be very small and its gravitational effect would be negligible. The conversation also mentions the expansion of the universe and its effects on different scales.
  • #1
alvarogz
38
0
Why doesn't dark matter affect the movement of solar system bodies as it does with the galaxies and stars movement?. Is it possible that dark matter affects only at galaxies scales or that the heliosphere interferes with the interaction of dark matter at solar systems scales (I say this because the measurements of the orbits of solar system bodies are very precise)?.

I was watching BBC.Horizon.2006.Most.of.Our.Universe.is.Missing when the question came up. Thanks.
 
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  • #2
alvarogz said:
I say this because the measurements of the orbits of solar system bodies are very precise
How precise?
 
  • #3
enough precise to calculate the orbit of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, etc. That's why we have artificial satellites orbiting the Earth and other planets... What I'm trying to say is if the influence of dark matter is applicable to the orbit of solar system bodies or not. If the answer is NO, I'm wondering why? if this dark matter is a kind halo that sorrounds the galaxy and gives it the rest of the mass that explains its movement.
 
  • #4
alvarogz said:
enough precise to calculate the orbit of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, etc. That's why we have artificial satellites orbiting the Earth and other planets... What I'm trying to say is if the influence of dark matter is applicable to the orbit of solar system bodies or not. If the answer is NO, I'm wondering why? if this dark matter is a kind halo that sorrounds the galaxy and gives it the rest of the mass that explains its movement.

You'd need to determine how dense the dark matter would need to be to show the effects it is showing on the galaxies. Then you'd need to show whether that density would have any effect on such as small scale as the solar system.

And I do believe the the dark matter is not evenly distributed throughout a galaxy. That's why it's not rotating as expected.


Here's an unrelated effect to chew on when thinking about scaling forces: expansion of the universe happens on a very large scale - it happens between galaxies and galaxy clusters. We do not see its effect within galaxies and certainly not within our solar sytem. It is simply far too small to overcome the effects of gravity.
 
  • #5
DaveC426913 said:
You'd need to determine how dense the dark matter would need to be to show the effects it is showing on the galaxies. Thne you'd need to show wherher that density would have any effect on such as small scale as the solar system.

And I do believe the the dark matter is not evenly distributed throughout a galaxy. That's why it's not rotating as expected.

I thought about density of the dark matter as way to explain its possible marginal gravitational effect over a solar system, considering its little size, compared to the vast dimension of the interstellar space and the whole galaxy. Probably at minor scales the effect is less than in bigger scales.
 
  • #6
alvarogz said:
enough precise to calculate the orbit of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, etc. That's why we have artificial satellites orbiting the Earth and other planets... What I'm trying to say is if the influence of dark matter is applicable to the orbit of solar system bodies or not. If the answer is NO, I'm wondering why? if this dark matter is a kind halo that sorrounds the galaxy and gives it the rest of the mass that explains its movement.

The amount of dark matter estimated in the entire Solar system is only estimated to be about 10^20 kg or about 1/9 the mass of the asteroid Ceres.
 
  • #7
very interesting information. if that data is correct we can assume that dark matter and, off course, its gravity, governs at bigger scales.
You mean Ceres, the dwarf planet...? So, its a very little amount of dark matter that is interacting at our solar system.
 
  • #8
alvarogz said:
very interesting information. if that data is correct we can assume that dark matter and, off course, its gravity, governs at bigger scales.
You mean Ceres, the dwarf planet...? So, its a very little amount of dark matter that is interacting at our solar system.
Also the dark matter is pretty evenly spread out within the solar system, so its gravitational effect would be extremely negligible.
 
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FAQ: Is Dark Matter Only Present on a Galactic Scale?

What is dark matter and how does it interact with regular matter?

Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe. It is called "dark" because it does not interact with light and cannot be seen or detected using traditional telescopes. Dark matter is thought to interact with regular matter through gravity, meaning it can influence the motion of regular matter and even contribute to the formation of galaxies.

How do scientists study the interaction of dark matter with regular matter?

Scientists study the interaction of dark matter with regular matter through a variety of methods, such as observing the effects of dark matter on the motion of stars and galaxies, analyzing the distribution of matter in the universe, and conducting experiments in underground laboratories to search for particles that could make up dark matter.

What are some proposed theories for the nature of dark matter?

There are several proposed theories for the nature of dark matter, including the possibility that it is made up of particles such as weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), axions, or sterile neutrinos. Other theories suggest that dark matter may be a manifestation of modified gravity or extra dimensions in the universe.

Can dark matter interact with regular matter on a small scale?

While dark matter does not interact with regular matter through the electromagnetic force, it is thought to interact with regular matter through gravity. This means that it can affect the motion of individual particles and even have an impact on the formation and evolution of structures on a smaller scale, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters.

Why is understanding the interaction of dark matter with regular matter important?

Understanding the interaction of dark matter with regular matter is important because it can provide valuable insights into the structure and evolution of the universe. It can also help explain the observed motions of galaxies and provide clues about the fundamental nature of matter and the laws of physics. Additionally, studying dark matter can lead to the development of new technologies and advancements in our understanding of the universe.

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