Is space plasma the key to understanding dark matter?

AI Thread Summary
Space plasma, particularly in the context of the interstellar medium, is being discussed as a potential explanation for dark matter. Voyager 1's findings on varying densities between our solar system and other galaxies have raised questions about the relationship between space plasma and dark matter. However, it is clarified that the amount of space plasma is insufficient to account for dark matter. The Pioneer anomaly, attributed to heat recoil from onboard power sources, does not connect space plasma to dark matter either. Overall, while space plasma is a significant component of astrophysical studies, it does not explain dark matter.
Reid Knapp
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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?
 
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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.
 

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