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Dark matter distribution
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Dark matter distribution
Dark matter distribution. Image 3 of 4. Supercomputer simulation, known as the Millennium Run, showing the distribution of dark matter in the local universe. The frame is 63 megaparsecs (206 million light years) in distance across. Dark matter is a form of matter that cannot be detected by telescopes as it emits no radiation. It is thought that cold dark matter first formed after the Big Bang. This matter then collapsed under its own weight to form vast halos (bright yellow) which sucked in normal matter to form visible matter, such as galaxies. This simulation was created in 2005 by the Virgo Consortium of international scientists using supercomputers at the Max Planck Society, Germany. For complete sequence, see images R980/209 - R980/212
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© VOLKER SPRINGEL/MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR ASTROPHYSICS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Astrophysical Astrophysics Big Bang Cluster Clusters Cosmological Cosmology Dark Matter Distribution Galactic Galaxies Galaxy Galaxy Formation Halo Local Modelling Morphology Nearby Net Work Simulation Super Computer Superclusters Supercomputer Simulation Universe Computer Artwork Physical Supercluster
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This print showcases the mysterious and elusive nature of dark matter, a fundamental component of our universe. Captured through an intricate supercomputer simulation known as the Millennium Run, this image reveals the distribution of dark matter in our local universe. Spanning an impressive distance of 63 megaparsecs (206 million light years), it offers a glimpse into the hidden structures that shape our cosmos. Dark matter, although invisible to telescopes due to its lack of radiation emission, plays a crucial role in cosmic evolution. Believed to have originated shortly after the Big Bang, cold dark matter collapsed under its own gravitational pull, forming immense halos depicted here in bright yellow hues. These halos acted as cosmic vacuum cleaners, drawing in normal matter and facilitating the formation of visible entities like galaxies. Crafted by international scientists from the Virgo Consortium using powerful supercomputers at Germany's Max Planck Society back in 2005, this simulation represents a remarkable feat merging artistry with scientific inquiry. Its detailed portrayal not only unravels the morphology and structure within our nearby galaxy clusters but also sheds light on broader cosmological phenomena such as galactic formation and superclusters. As we delve deeper into understanding these enigmatic forces shaping our universe through astrophysics and cosmology research, images like this serve as invaluable tools for unraveling mysteries that lie beyond what meets the eye.
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