Hubble telescope discovers rare galaxy that is 99% dark matter
Summary
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have identified a galaxy exhibiting the highest concentration of dark matter ever recorded. This groundbreaking discovery enhances our understanding of dark matter's role in the universe's formation and evolution.
Key Insights
What is dark matter, and why is it significant in this galaxy?
Dark matter is an invisible form of matter that does not reflect, emit, or absorb light, making up about 99% of the mass of CDG-2, one of the most heavily dark matter-dominated galaxies discovered. This high concentration highlights dark matter's crucial role in holding galaxies together despite the scarcity of visible stars and gas.
How was the CDG-2 galaxy detected if it is mostly dark matter?
CDG-2 was detected through Hubble's high-resolution imaging of four globular star clusters in the Perseus galaxy cluster, 300 million light-years away, with follow-up data from Euclid and Subaru revealing a faint diffuse glow indicating the underlying galaxy. This is the first galaxy found solely via its globular cluster population.