Latest news with #XMMNewton
Sustainability Times
09-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They Finally Found the Universe's Missing Matter!': Astronomers Stagger the Scientific World by Pinpointing Hidden Material in Colossal Cosmic Webs
IN A NUTSHELL 🌌 Astronomers discovered a massive filament of hot gas stretching 23 million light-years , containing much of the universe's 'missing matter.' , containing much of the universe's 'missing matter.' 🔭 Advanced telescopes like XMM-Newton and Suzaku played a crucial role in identifying and analyzing this elusive cosmic structure. and played a crucial role in identifying and analyzing this elusive cosmic structure. 🕸️ The filament is part of the Cosmic Web , a network that has guided the formation of galaxies and other large-scale structures. , a network that has guided the formation of galaxies and other large-scale structures. 🚀 This discovery supports long-standing cosmological models and opens new pathways for understanding the universe's composition and evolution. In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of the universe. A colossal tendril of hot gas, spanning an astonishing 23 million light-years and connecting four galaxy clusters, has been identified. This structure, with a mass ten times that of the Milky Way, holds much of the universe's elusive 'missing matter.' Unlike dark matter, this missing matter consists of baryons, the ordinary atoms forming stars, planets, and even our bodies. This revelation supports long-held cosmological models and offers profound insights into the Cosmic Web, the vast network that underpins the universe. Unveiling the Missing Matter For decades, scientists have been puzzled by the absence of a significant portion of the universe's baryonic matter. While the existence of dark matter remains an enigma, this missing matter pertains to the ordinary atoms that constitute the visible universe. Models of the universe have suggested that a third of this baryonic matter was unaccounted for. The recent discovery of a massive filament of hot gas linking galaxy clusters suggests that these models were accurate, and the missing matter is indeed hidden within these vast cosmic structures. The filaments stretch between dense regions of the universe, forming a part of the Cosmic Web. This network is believed to have guided the formation of galaxies and other cosmic structures over billions of years. The detection of this specific filament was enabled by advanced X-ray telescopes, which could identify and analyze the faint emissions from these gaseous threads. This discovery not only affirms our existing cosmological theories but also enhances our understanding of the universe's intricate architecture. 'Earth Is Not Unique Anymore': Harvard Scientists Reveal Countless Earth-Like Planets Lurking in Distant Galaxies The Role of Advanced Telescopes Identifying these elusive filaments required the sophisticated capabilities of telescopes like XMM-Newton and Suzaku. Suzaku, operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, effectively mapped X-ray emissions over large cosmic regions, while the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton provided detailed analyses of specific X-ray points. Together, these telescopes formed a powerful observational duo, enabling astronomers to filter out light from other cosmic sources and focus exclusively on the filament's emissions. Through this approach, researchers could accurately determine the filament's properties, including its staggering temperature of 18 million degrees Fahrenheit. Such precise measurements underscore the importance of international collaboration and technological innovation in astronomy. By combining data from multiple sources, the research team could present a comprehensive picture of this cosmic phenomenon, bolstering the validity of our current cosmological models. 'I Was Convinced We'd Found Aliens': Scientists Backtrack on K2-18b Breakthrough Before Revealing the Devastating Truth Implications for Cosmic Understanding This discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the universe. By revealing a significant portion of the universe's missing baryonic matter, astronomers have not only solved a longstanding mystery but also opened new avenues for research into the Cosmic Web. These filaments, acting as cosmic scaffolds, play a crucial role in the formation and evolution of galaxies and other large-scale structures. Understanding these filaments could provide deeper insights into the universe's composition and the forces shaping its evolution. As more such structures are identified and studied, scientists can refine their models and simulations, leading to a more nuanced understanding of cosmic dynamics. This discovery represents a significant milestone in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and underscores the potential for future breakthroughs in this field. 'NASA Unveils Cosmic Spectacle': Stunning New Images and Sounds of Andromeda Galaxy Leave Astronomers in Absolute Awe Future Directions in Cosmic Exploration The revelation of this filament highlights the importance of continued exploration and technological advancement in astronomy. As new telescopes and observational techniques are developed, astronomers will be better equipped to probe the universe's deepest secrets. The ongoing study of cosmic filaments and their role in the Cosmic Web will remain a focal point of astronomical research, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Future missions may focus on identifying additional filaments and mapping the Cosmic Web in greater detail. By doing so, scientists hope to uncover new insights into the formation and evolution of the universe. This research could pave the way for a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces at play in the cosmos and the intricate structures that arise from them. As we continue to explore the universe, what other hidden wonders might we uncover? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
See our neighboring Andromeda Galaxy in a whole new light
A new composite image of the Andromeda Galaxy is offering an unprecedented view of our closest spiral galactic neighbor. Composed by NASA and international space partners, the image combines data from more than a dozen telescopes and ground-based observatories. Located about 2.5 million light-years from Earth, Andromeda, which is also known as Messier 31m has been a focus of the space community for more than a century, with early observations dating back to at least 1923 by astronomer Edwin Hubble. A key focus of ongoing studies has been the galaxy's evolution and structure, which shares many similar features with our own Milky Way. The new imagery weaves together data from X-rays captured by Nasa's Chandra telescope, the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton spacecraft and several other missions to create a unique view of the galaxy's features. See The Objects Humans Left Behind On The Moon "Each type of light reveals new information about this close galactic relative to the Milky Way. For example, Chandra's X-rays reveal the high-energy radiation around the supermassive black hole at the center of M31 as well as many other smaller compact and dense objects strewn across the galaxy," NASA stated. Unlike the Milky Way, which is difficult to observe from within due to dust, gas and Earth's position inside it, Andromeda can be studied from a great distance, offering astronomers a more complete and unobstructed view. Despite the insights revealed by this image, many mysteries remain about the spiral galaxy, including the composition of invisible dark matter, how it interacts with other cosmic structures and how many stars and planets it truly contains. Andromeda is believed to contain hundreds of billions of stars, leading scientists to theorize that it could also host trillions of planets. Even with an army of advanced space technology available today, no telescope is powerful enough to overcome the vast distance and identify a single planet, or, for that matter, even a star, in detail within Andromeda. Astronomers Discover Largest Superstructure In Cosmos NASA says its upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is among several missions that will help continue to shed light on galaxies like M31. Named after the agency's first chief astronomer, the high-tech observatory is expected to launch in 2027 and will feature a field of view 100 times larger than that of the Hubble Space article source: See our neighboring Andromeda Galaxy in a whole new light
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA offers dazzling new sights (and sounds) of the Andromeda galaxy
Even a century after Edward Hubble confirmed its existence, astronomers learn new details about the Andromeda galaxy that help us better understand our cosmic neighborhood and the wider universe. Earlier this week, NASA released its latest detailed images of the Milky Way's spiral sibling, as well an ethereal sonification of its energy wavelengths. Attaining an outside view of the Milky Way galaxy is a bit like trying to examine the entire planet from your backyard—that is to say, it's impossible from humanity's current vantage point. The next best option for astronomers is gazing at similar nearby spiral galaxies, the closest of which is Messier 31. Also known as Andromeda, the Milky Way's most immediate neighbor is about 2.5 million light-years away, and provides an excellent option for studying how spiral galaxies form and evolve over time. It's also where a team led by astronomer Vera Rubin first detected the anomalous material now known as 'dark matter' in the 1960s. The newest glimpses at Andromeda are based on composite data collected by an international array of the world's most powerful telescopes, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the ESA's XMM-Newton, and even optical information from a pair of astrophotographers. The various kinds of light span the visible, infrared, radio, and ultraviolet wavelengths. When layered, they depict a vibrant and active galaxy reminiscent of our own—and the information is already helping experts expand on Andromeda's ongoing life story. 'For example, Chandra's X-rays reveal the high-energy radiation around the supermassive black hole at the center of M31 as well as many other smaller compact and dense objects strewn across the galaxy,' NASA explained in its announcement. Astronomers aren't limited to studying visual representations of Andromeda's energy; they can also assess them through sound. In addition to the images, NASA researchers compiled the galaxy datasets into a sonification by separating out each wavelength, rotating them, and stacking them on top of one another in order of their frequency. From top to bottom, that means X-rays, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and finally radio waves. These are next assigned a range of corresponding notes, with brightness designating volume while spectrum location determines pitch. The result is a dreamlink chorus of tones as the space telescopes traverse Andromeda's 152,000 light-year diameter. There's still an untold wealth of information to learn from the Milky Way's neighbor, possibly even the means to finally understand the dark matter first detected by Rubin. That's at least what NASA hopes to achieve with the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope currently scheduled to go into operation in 2027.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Scientists have finally FOUND the universe's 'missing matter': Elusive substance is discovered in 10 million degree filament - addressing a decades-long mystery
After 10 years of searching, scientists have finally found the universe's 'missing matter'. For our cosmological models to work, scientists know there should be a certain amount of matter - the substance that makes up everything we can see - out in the universe. The problem is that only a third of this matter has ever been seen, while the rest is missing. Now, experts from the European Space Agency say they may have solved the mystery. They believe the 'missing' matter lies in a vast filament of 10-million-degree gases stretching across the depths of the universe. At over 23 million light-years in length, this cosmic ribbon contains 10 times as much matter as the Milky Way. The enormous thread connects four galaxy clusters, each containing thousands of individual galaxies filled with billions of stars. 'It seems that the "missing" matter may truly be lurking in hard-to-see threads woven across the universe,' said co-author Dr Norbert Schartel, a project scientist on the European Space Agency's (ESA) XMM-Newton telescope. The filament stretches diagonally away from Earth as part of the Shapley Supercluster - a collection of 8,000 galaxies which is one of the biggest structures in the universe. The thread is so long that travelling its length would be like crossing the Milky Way end-to-end more than 230 times. As its gases collapse inwards under gravity, they produce vast amounts of energy which causes the gas to become extremely hot. However, because the gas is so spread out, filaments only give out a very faint light which is hard to distinguish from that of nearby galaxies and black holes. Lead researcher Dr Konstantinos Migkas, of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, told MailOnline: 'Throughout this thin, diffuse, low-emitting gas, there are many supermassive black holes that emit a lot of X-ray radiation, overcrowding the signal from the filaments and their gas. 'It's like trying to see a candlelight next to 10 luminous flashlights from 100 meters away.' Without being able to isolate the light coming from the gas itself, astronomers haven't been able to work out how much of the universe's hidden mass it contains. In a new paper, published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, astronomers have managed to do this for the very first time using two powerful X-ray telescopes. Using powerful space telescopes, astronomers were able to distinguish the gas' X-ray radiation from contaminating sources such as supermassive black holes Why does the universe have missing matter? To figure out how the universe has evolved, cosmologists have created simulations called models. These models have been highly successful at predicting the distribution of galaxies and other structures. The models also tell scientists that there should be a certain amount of normal matter in the universe. However, only about 20 to 30 per cent of the predicted matter has ever been seen. If this matter does exist, it might be spread out in filaments of gas connecting dense clusters of galaxies. If not, this suggests that scientists' best models of the universe are wrong after all. The researchers combined observations from the ESA's XMM-Newton and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Suzaku X-ray space telescopes. While Suzaku mapped out gas' faint X-ray radiation over a large area, XMM-Newton was able to pinpoint sources of contaminating X-rays such as supermassive black holes. Co-author Dr Florian Pacaud, of the University of Bonn, says: 'Thanks to XMM-Newton we could identify and remove these cosmic contaminants, so we knew we were looking at the gas in the filament and nothing else.' For the first time ever, that has allowed scientists to work out the properties of a cosmic filament. The exciting part for scientists is that these observations confirm that their models of the universe were correct all along. Dr Migkas says: 'From cosmological, large-scale structure simulations that resemble the universe, we see that this still-missing matter should reside in these strings of gas and galaxies and this matter also should have a certain temperature and density. 'In our study, we confirm for the first time unambiguously that indeed, there are cosmic filaments with exactly the right density and temperature of the gas, as predicted by our current model of cosmology.' That is a very good indication that the large-scale structure of the local universe does look like scientists' predictions suggest. In addition to revealing a previously unseen thread of matter running through the universe, these findings show galaxy clusters are connected over vast distances. That means some of the densest, most extreme structures in the universe could be part of a vast 'cosmic web'. This is an invisible cobweb of filaments that may underpin the structure of everything we see around us. Now, we are one step closer to understanding how that network fits together. WHAT IS THE COSMIC WEB OF FILAMENTS THAT THE UNIVERSE IS MADE UP OF? 'Ordinary' matter, which makes up everything we can see, corresponds to only five per cent of the known universe. The rest is made up of so-called 'dark matter.' For decades, at least half of this regular matter had eluded detection, but scientists have in recent years made the first direct observations of a 'cosmic web' of filaments spanning between galaxies. These filaments are made up of gas at temperatures between 100,000°C (180,032 °F) and 10 million°C (50 million°F) and the experts believe these structures may account for the 'missing' ordinary matter. Studies have estimated that around 95 per cent of the universe is made of a mixture of 'dark matter' and 'dark energy', which only makes its presence felt by its gravitational pull, but has never been seen directly. What is less widely known, however, is that around half of the regular matter is also missing. In 2015, a team led by University of Geneva scientist Dominique Eckert claimed that these 'missing baryons' - subatomic particles made up of three quarks - were detected because of their X-ray signature in a massive cluster of galaxies known as Abell 2744. Using the XMM-Newton space telescope, the researchers found matter concentrated into a network of knots and links connected through vast filaments, known as the 'cosmic web'. Large-scale galaxy surveys have shown that the distribution of ordinary matter in the universe is not homogeneous. Instead, under the action of gravity, matter is concentrated into so-called filamentary structures, forming a network of knots and links called the 'cosmic web'. The regions experiencing the highest gravitational force collapse and form the knots of the network, such as Abell 2744. Researchers focused on Abell 2744 - a massive cluster of galaxies with a complex distribution of dark and luminous matter at its centre - to make their finding. Comparable to neural networks, these knots then connect to one another through filaments, where the researchers identified the presence of gas, and consequently, the missing ordinary matter thought to make up the universe.
