Can Dark Matter Separate From Normal Matter on the Scale of Galaxies?

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Four years ago, you made a discovery that proved somewhat controversial. Can this really unusual system of galaxies? Can that tell us anything about dark matter itself? Yes, in several ways. If we can show dark matter can separate from normal matter on the scale of galaxy, it means that dark matter is real. And that is important because there are alternativesa some people have suggested that dark matter isn't actually a particle or a thing but a manifestation of our lack of knowledge of physics.

00:47 The mystery of the missing dark matter

Dark matter makes up most of the matter in the Universe, and is thought to be needed for galaxies to form. But four years ago, astronomers made a perplexing, and controversial discovery: two galaxies seemingly devoid of dark matter. This week the team suggests that a cosmic collision may explain how these, and a string of other dark-matter-free galaxies, could have formed.

Research article: van Dokkum et al.

News and Views: Giant collision created galaxies devoid of dark matter

08:39 Research Highlights

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Research Highlight: Helium levels in the atmosphere are ballooning

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10:49 Researchers experiences of the war in Ukraine

We hear the stories of scientists whose lives have been affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including researchers who have become refugees, soldiers and activists in the face of a horrifying conflict.

Nature Feature: How three Ukrainian scientists are surviving Russia’s brutal war

20:46 Imaging the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way

Last week, a team of researchers released an image of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive blackhole at the centre of our galaxy. We hear how they took the image and what it is revealing about these enormous objects.

Nature News: Black hole at the centre of our Galaxy imaged for the first time

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