I Dark matter and structure formation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the role of dark matter in the formation of cosmic structures like galaxies. While some argue that structures could theoretically form without dark matter, the consensus is that dark matter potential wells are crucial for the observed structure in the universe. An article referenced suggests that non-linear effects in general relativity might allow for structure formation without dark matter, indicating a need for further exploration of this idea. Additionally, modified gravity theories have been proposed as alternatives that could explain structure formation. Overall, the debate highlights the complexity of understanding cosmic structure and the potential for alternative theories to challenge conventional views.
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Could matter have formed structures in the universe, like galaxies, without the presence of dark matter?
 
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Yes.

But to the extent that we are observing in our actual universe. No. The dark matter potential wells are important for structure formation.
 
Orodruin said:
Yes.

But to the extent that we are observing in our actual universe. No. The dark matter potential wells are important for structure formation.
I was reading an article which says the opposite, that structures could not have formed at all without dark matter.
 
I don't see how that is the opposite of what I said.
 
There is an argument that non-linear effects in general relativity that haven't been adequately considered could give rise to the observed amount of structure without dark matter. See Alexandre Deur, "Effect of gravitational field self-interaction on large structure formation" arxiv.org: 2108.04649 (July 9, 2021) (Accepted for publication in Phys. Lett. B) DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2021.136510

Modified gravity theories could also have that effect. See, e.g., Sanders 1998, McGaugh 1998, McGaugh 1999, McGaugh 2000, Sanders 2001, Nusser 2002, Stachniewicz & Kutschera 2002, McGaugh 2004, Skordis et al. 2005, Llinares et al. 2008, Feix 2016, Khoury 2016.
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recombination_(cosmology) Was a matter density right after the decoupling low enough to consider the vacuum as the actual vacuum, and not the medium through which the light propagates with the speed lower than ##({\epsilon_0\mu_0})^{-1/2}##? I'm asking this in context of the calculation of the observable universe radius, where the time integral of the inverse of the scale factor is multiplied by the constant speed of light ##c##.
The formal paper is here. The Rutgers University news has published a story about an image being closely examined at their New Brunswick campus. Here is an excerpt: Computer modeling of the gravitational lens by Keeton and Eid showed that the four visible foreground galaxies causing the gravitational bending couldn’t explain the details of the five-image pattern. Only with the addition of a large, invisible mass, in this case, a dark matter halo, could the model match the observations...
Hi, I’m pretty new to cosmology and I’m trying to get my head around the Big Bang and the potential infinite extent of the universe as a whole. There’s lots of misleading info out there but this forum and a few others have helped me and I just wanted to check I have the right idea. The Big Bang was the creation of space and time. At this instant t=0 space was infinite in size but the scale factor was zero. I’m picturing it (hopefully correctly) like an excel spreadsheet with infinite...

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