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Hubble Finds Dark Matter Ring in Galaxy Cluster
This Hubble Space Telescope composite image shows a ghostly "ring" of dark matter in the galaxy cluster Cl 0024+17.
The ring-like structure is evident in the blue map of the cluster's dark matter distribution. The map is superimposed on a Hubble image of the cluster. The ring is one of the strongest pieces of evidence to date for the existence of dark matter, an unknown substance that pervades the universe.
The map was derived from Hubble observations of how the gravity of the cluster Cl 0024+17 distorts the light of more distant galaxies, an optical illusion called gravitational lensing. Although astronomers cannot see dark matter, they can infer its existence by mapping the distorted shapes of the background galaxies. The mapping also shows how dark matter is distributed in the cluster.
Astronomers suggest that the dark-matter ring was produced from a collision between two gigantic clusters.
Dark matter makes up the bulk of the universe's material and is believed to make up the underlying structure of the cosmos.
The Hubble observations were taken in November 2004 by the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Thanks to the exquisite resolution of the ACS, astronomers saw the detailed cobweb tracery of gravitational lensing in the cluster.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.00h 26m 34.99s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.17° 9' 42.99"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Pisces
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.Approximately 5 billion light-years (1.5 billion parsecs); Redshift z = 0.395
About the Data
- Data DescriptionData DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.The ACS data was from the HST proposal 10325: H. Ford (Johns Hopkins University), N. Benitez (Johns Hopkins University/Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia), T. Broadhurst (Tel Aviv University - Wise Observatory), R. White (STScI), K. Zekser (Johns Hopkins University), and D. Coe (Johns Hopkins University/Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia). The science team includes: M.J. Jee and H. Ford (Johns Hopkins University), G. Illingworth (UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz), R. White (STScI), T. Broadhurst (Tel Aviv University - Wise Observatory), D. Coe (Johns Hopkins University/Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia), G. Meurer and A. van der Wel (Johns Hopkins University), N. Benitez (Johns Hopkins University/Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia), J. Blakeslee (Washington State University), R. Bouwens (UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz), L. Bradley , R. Demarco, N. Homeier, A. Martel, and S. Mei (Johns Hopkins University). - InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.HST>ACS/WFC
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.November 2004, Exposure Time: 14.5 hours
- FiltersFiltersThe camera filters that were used in the science observations.F435W (B), F475W (g), F555W (V), F625W (r), F775W (i), and F850LP (z)
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.CL0024+17,ZwCl 0024+1652
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Galaxy Cluster
- Release DateMay 15, 2007
- Science ReleaseHubble Finds Ring of Dark Matter
- Credit
This image is a composite of many separate exposures made by the ACS instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope. In total, six filters were used to sample light from broad and narrow wavelengths. The color results from assigning different hues (colors) to each monochromatic image. In this case, the assigned colors are: Blue: F435W (B) + F475W (g) Green: F555W (V) + F625W (r) Red: F775W (i) + F850LP (z) Cyan: Dark Matter "Ring" Derived from Hubble Data
Related Images & Videos
Searching for Dark Matter in a Galaxy Cluster
This rich galaxy cluster, catalogued as Cl 0024+17, is allowing astronomers to probe the distribution of dark matter in space. The blue streaks near the center of the image are the smeared images of very distant galaxies that are not part of the cluster. The distant galaxies...
Simulation of Two Galaxy Clusters Colliding
Simulation of two galaxy clusters colliding. As the two clusters smash together, the dark matter falls to the center of the combined cluster and then back out. The dark matter moves outward, it begins to slow down under the pull of gravity and piles up, forming a "ring" of...
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Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
