Dark Matter Flies Ahead of Normal Matter (IMAGE)

California Institute of Technology

Dark Matter Flies Ahead of Normal Matter

Caption

This artist's concept shows what happened when two massive clusters of galaxies, collectively known as MACS J0018.5, collided: The dark matter in the galaxy clusters (blue) sailed ahead of the associated clouds of hot gas, or normal matter (orange). Both dark matter and normal matter feel the pull of gravity, but only the normal matter experiences additional effects like shocks and turbulence that slow it down during collisions.

Credit

W.M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

CC0

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.