Is space plasma the key to understanding dark matter?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between space plasma and dark matter, specifically questioning whether space plasma could account for the unseen matter in the universe. Participants reference the Voyager 1 mission, which confirmed the existence of interstellar plasma and dust, but conclude that space plasma does not explain dark matter due to insufficient density. The Pioneer anomaly is also mentioned, attributed to heat recoil from onboard power sources, further clarifying the distinction between astrophysical plasma and dark matter.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of interstellar medium and its components
  • Familiarity with Voyager 1 mission findings
  • Basic knowledge of dark matter and its implications in astrophysics
  • Concept of astrophysical plasma and its characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of interstellar plasma and its role in the universe
  • Study the findings from the Voyager 1 mission regarding the interstellar medium
  • Explore current theories on dark matter and its detection methods
  • Investigate the Pioneer anomaly and its implications for spacecraft physics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in the nature of dark matter and the characteristics of space plasma will benefit from this discussion.

Reid Knapp
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Does space plasma explain dark matter? I have read about how Voyager 1 showed that there was different density in between our solar system and other galaxies. Doesn't the existence of space plasma then explain that the matter we cannot see is in fact space plasma? I really feel as though I am struggling on these concepts and need some further explanation. Irregardless of the answer to that question, do they have anything to do with each other?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
What is 'space plasma'? The Pioneer 'anomaly' has been explained as heat recoil from the onboard power source.
 
I guess its also known as astrophysical plasma?
 
I guess 'it' is not yet known to science.
 
Reid Knapp said:
Does space plasma explain dark matter? I have read about how Voyager 1 showed that there was different density in between our solar system and other galaxies. Doesn't the existence of space plasma then explain that the matter we cannot see is in fact space plasma? I really feel as though I am struggling on these concepts and need some further explanation. Irregardless of the answer to that question, do they have anything to do with each other?

Are you referring to the interstellar and intergalactic medium? I guess you could call it a plasma.

From here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_medium
On September 12 2013, NASA officially announced that Voyager 1 had reached the ISM on August 25, 2012, making it the first manmade object to do so. Interstellar plasma and dust will be studied until the mission's end in 2025.

If that's what you mean, then no. It does not explain dark matter. There isn't nearly enough of it.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Galaxy collision separates dark matter from regular matter
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Is Dark Matter the Key to Understanding the Pre-Visible Universe?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Stargazing Dark matter and its effect on the orbit of stars
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Undergrad Dark Matter as a condensation of photons in a space
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Dark matter + gravity is 'right', or our understanding of gravity is wrong?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
Graduate Does modified gravity somehow explain galaxies that don't need it?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad How is Dark Matter distributed around our galaxy?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad Too Much Dark Matter In CEG Mrk 1216
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
High School Dark Energy: Are We All Missing The Obvious?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Which instruments are used to determine the composition of dark matter?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K