Universe’s Missing Matter Found: Fast Radio Bursts Illuminate Hidden baryons
In a groundbreaking finding, astronomers have successfully located nearly all of the universe’s missing baryonic matter. This elusive “normal” matter, comprising stars, planets, and everything that interacts with light, had been unaccounted for until now. The findings, published on June 16 in Nature Astronomy, mark a notable step forward in our understanding of the cosmos.
Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) Lead to Breakthrough
For years, scientists have struggled to find all the baryonic matter predicted by the Big Bang theory. Now, by using short, powerful radio signals from distant galaxies known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), researchers believe they have solved the mystery.
Liam Connor, an astronomer at Harvard University and co-author of the study, explained that FRBs act like backlights, shining through the intergalactic medium. By precisely measuring how the light slows down, scientists can effectively “weigh” the otherwise invisible matter.
Where Was the Missing Matter?
The study reveals that a significant portion of the missing baryonic matter is thinly spread throughout the space between galaxies, known as the intergalactic medium. This hot gas, previously too faint to detect directly, makes up approximately 76% of the total baryonic matter.
An additional 15% of the missing matter resides in the halos surrounding galaxies, with the remaining portion comprising the stars, planets, and cold gases within galaxies themselves.
| Location | Percentage of Total Baryonic Matter |
|---|---|
| Intergalactic Medium | 76% |
| Galaxy halos | 15% |
| Inside Galaxies (Stars, Planets, Gases) | 9% |
Vikram Ravi, an astronomer at Caltech and another co-author, likened the discovery to seeing a shadow, revealing the presence and approximate size of something that is or else hidden.
The Significance of the Discovery
This is the first time scientists have observationally accounted for all of the baryonic matter expected to exist in the universe.Nicolás Tejos,an astronomer at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso,hailed the findings as essentially solving the “missing baryons problem.”
Did You Know? The universe is composed of only about 5% baryonic matter.The other 95% consists of dark matter (27%) and dark energy (68%), wich are still largely mysterious.
Future Research
Looking ahead, the research team aims to utilize the Deep Synoptic Array-2000, a proposed network of 2,000 radio telescopes. This advanced array will scan the entire sky over five years,possibly pinpointing up to 10,000 new FRBs annually,allowing for even more detailed investigations into the universe’s baryonic matter.
The Enduring Quest to Understand the Universe’s Composition
The search for missing baryonic matter exemplifies the ongoing quest to fully understand the universe’s composition. This discovery not only fills a gap in our knowledge but also opens new avenues for exploring the vast, complex structures of the cosmos.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Baryonic Matter
- What is baryonic matter?
- Baryonic matter is the “normal” matter that makes up stars, planets, and all objects that interact with light, composed of particles like protons and neutrons.
- How much of the universe is made up of baryonic matter?
- Baryonic matter accounts for only about 5% of the universe’s total composition. The rest is dark matter (27%) and dark energy.
- What are fast radio bursts (FRBs)?
- Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief,intense flashes of radio waves originating from outside our galaxy. Their exact cause is still unknown.
- How did scientists use FRBs to find missing baryonic matter?
- Scientists used FRBs as “backlights” to shine through the intergalactic medium.By measuring how much the light slowed down, they could weigh the otherwise invisible “fog” of baryonic matter.
- Where is most of the baryonic matter located?
- About 76% of the baryonic matter is located in the intergalactic medium, the hot gas between galaxies. Another 15% resides in galaxy halos.
- What is the Deep Synoptic array-2000?
- The Deep Synoptic Array-2000 is a proposed network of 2,000 radio telescopes designed to scan the sky and detect up to 10,000 new FRBs per year, enabling further study of baryonic matter.
What do you think is the most exciting aspect of this discovery? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
How might finding the missing baryonic matter influence future research in astrophysics and cosmology?
