What happens to dark matter in galactic collisions?

In summary, the TV show "WORMHOLES", narrated by Morgan Freeman, delved into the topic of dark matter and dark energy. One of the recent ideas discussed was the collision of distant galaxies, where the dark matter from each galaxy passed through the other without interacting with normal matter or itself. This collision was compared to a "bullet" collision due to the shape of the emerging dark matter. The show did not discuss the gravitational effects of dark matter in this collision, but it is believed to have some impact on the combined rotation of the galaxies. The collision described in the show was not a pair of colliding galaxies, but rather two colliding galaxy clusters, where the dark matter and galaxies largely maintained their course while the inter
  • #1
Naty1
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The science series currently on TV in the US called WORMSHOLES, narrated by Morgan Freeman (the actor) has a number of recent some new ideas. (Very worthwhile series, by the way.)

The show last night discussed dark matter and dark energy and referred to a distant pair of galaxies colliding. The show pictured (must have been an illustrated computer simulation ) the new rotation of the combined stars around a new center of mass. But the fascinating thing was the representation of dark matter: the dark matter from each galaxy passed right through all the matter and dark matter of the other since, it does not interact either with normal matter nor itself.

So the dark matter kept largely on it's original course despite the collision of the normal matter. They referred to the collision as a "bullet" collision because of the snub nosed shape of the dark matter emerging after the collision...They did not discuss the gravitational effects of the dark matter in this collision yet that must have some effect on all the matter.

Has anyone come across such an illustration or proper discussion of such a collision? In other words, the new rotation of the combined galaxies must be affected by the new location of the dark matter as well as the combined gravitational affects of normal matter.
 
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  • #2
The "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_Cluster" " is not a pair of colliding galaxies, it's two colliding galaxy clusters. Dark Matter, as well as the galaxies, mainly kept their course, while the intergalactic gas collides and gets braked. The collision is still ongoing.
 
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FAQ: What happens to dark matter in galactic collisions?

What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a type of matter that does not emit or interact with light, making it invisible to telescopes. It is believed to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe and is responsible for the gravitational effects that hold galaxies together.

What happens to dark matter in galactic collisions?

During galactic collisions, dark matter behaves differently than regular matter. It does not experience the same type of collisions or interactions as regular matter does, and therefore does not slow down or lose energy. Instead, it passes through the colliding galaxies and becomes concentrated in the center of the newly formed galaxy.

Can we observe dark matter during galactic collisions?

No, dark matter cannot be directly observed, even during galactic collisions. However, scientists can study the effects of dark matter on regular matter during these collisions and use that information to better understand its properties and behavior.

Does dark matter affect the outcome of galactic collisions?

Yes, dark matter plays a crucial role in the outcome of galactic collisions. Its gravitational effects can influence the trajectories of the colliding galaxies and determine the final shape and structure of the newly formed galaxy.

How does dark matter impact our understanding of the universe?

The existence and behavior of dark matter have a significant impact on our understanding of the universe. It helps explain the formation and evolution of galaxies and the large-scale structure of the universe. It also plays a crucial role in the study of cosmology and the measurement of the expansion rate of the universe.

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