Does Andromeda contain dark matter?

In summary, Andromeda does not contain dark matter, and the newly discovered halo cannot account for the rotation of the galaxy.
  • #1
quantum123
306
1
Does Andromeda contain dark matter? Is the newly discovered halo able to account for the rotation of the galaxy?
 
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  • #2
quantum123, I deleted your duplicate post in the General Astronomy forum. Do not double-post. If you want your thread moved, PM a Mentor and we'll look into it.
 
  • #3
quantum123 said:
Does Andromeda contain dark matter? Is the newly discovered halo able to account for the rotation of the galaxy?

Not sure what you mean by "newly discovered halo", but Andromeda was the galaxy for which the first detailed flat rotation curve data was published.
 
  • #4
Andromeda merely has about as much DM as our own galaxy . . . assuming cosmologists can be trusted.
 
  • #5
This means our galaxy has much bigger halo...? (as we have smaller baryonic matter radius)
Same DM indicates that...we are having a bigger halo...
 
  • #6
What I mean is : Recently we discovered a lot of baryonic matter in the form of a halo around Andromeda galaxy which we did not otherwise know exist, and so needed to deduce the existence of dark matter to account for the gravitational and rotational effects of the entire galaxy. So with this discovery, do we still need to postulate the existence of dark matter for the Andromeda? Is the halo mass enough to account for the galaxy's motion?
Thanks.
 
  • #7
No, there is not enough baryonic matter in the extended halo of the Andromeda galaxy to account for it's rotation curve.
 
  • #8
Not enough baryonic matter in the objects like halo etc so far observed and discovered due to more detailed and accurate telescopic work. How about those not yet observed? The argument here is that the missing mass may just be yet to be discovered mass, and not dark matter. Instead of postulating some strange matter, why not just say some matter not discovered and observed yet, such as this latest halo? Why not just look harder with the telescope and you may just find another halo somewhere that can account for the flat rotation curve?
 

1. What is dark matter and why is it important in Andromeda?

Dark matter is a type of matter that does not emit or absorb light, making it invisible to traditional telescopes. It is important in Andromeda because it is thought to make up the majority of the galaxy's mass, playing a crucial role in its formation and evolution.

2. How do scientists know that Andromeda contains dark matter?

Scientists can observe the gravitational effects of dark matter on visible matter, such as stars and gas, in Andromeda. This allows them to calculate the amount and distribution of dark matter in the galaxy.

3. What evidence supports the presence of dark matter in Andromeda?

In addition to gravitational effects, other evidence for dark matter in Andromeda includes the rotation curves of stars and gas, which do not match the expected behavior based on visible matter alone. Additionally, computer simulations of galaxy formation and evolution also support the presence of dark matter in Andromeda.

4. Can dark matter be directly observed in Andromeda?

No, dark matter cannot be directly observed in Andromeda or any other galaxy. It does not interact with light, making it impossible to see with traditional telescopes. However, scientists are working on experiments and technologies that may one day allow for the direct detection of dark matter.

5. How does the presence of dark matter in Andromeda impact our understanding of the universe?

The existence of dark matter in Andromeda, and other galaxies, challenges our current understanding of the universe and its formation. It also has implications for the study of gravity and the behavior of matter on a large scale. By studying dark matter in Andromeda, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the universe as a whole.

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