Why Cosmic ‘Dark Matter’ Is Living On Borrowed Time

The universe is full of mysteries waiting to be unraveled, and recent discoveries have shed new light on some of the most intriguing enigmas. From the elusive dark matter to the collapse of stars into black holes, scientists are making progress in understanding the cosmos.

One of the most enduring mysteries in astrophysics is dark matter, a type of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect any electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to our telescopes. Despite decades of research, the existence of dark matter remains a topic of debate. According to a recent article, the odds of finding evidence for non-baryonic dark matter, a hypothetical form of dark matter, are getting longer with each passing year. (1) The concept of dark matter was first proposed by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky and later confirmed by American astronomer Vera Rubin to explain the rotation of galaxies. However, alternative theories, such as Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), have been largely castigated by mainstream astrophysicists.

Meanwhile, a recent report has blamed NASA and Boeing for the botched Starliner flight test in 2024. The report classified the mission as a Type A mishap, citing the failure of five thrusters in the spacecraft's propulsion system. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the spacecraft, and NASA has decided not to send astronauts back to Earth on the Starliner until dozens of corrective actions are taken. (2)

In other news, NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) has been measuring the sun's energy and its interaction with the Earth for over 42 years. The satellite, launched in 1984, was designed to investigate how energy from the sun is absorbed and re-emitted by the Earth. This data has been crucial in understanding the Earth's climate and weather patterns. (3)

A team of astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Andromeda Galaxy, observing a star that collapsed directly into a black hole without exploding as a supernova. This phenomenon, predicted by theory, is rare and has only been observed a few times before. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) telescope. (4)

In a separate development, the James Webb Space Telescope has mapped auroras on Uranus in 3D for the first time, providing scientists with a unique insight into the planet's atmosphere. The telescope's advanced technology has allowed scientists to study the auroras in unprecedented detail, shedding light on the planet's magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind. (5)

These discoveries demonstrate the rapid progress being made in our understanding of the universe. From the mysteries of dark matter to the wonders of black holes and auroras, scientists are continually pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. As new technologies and missions become available, we can expect even more exciting discoveries in the years to come.

References:

(1) "Why Cosmic 'Dark Matter' Is Living On Borrowed Time"
(2) "Report Blames NASA and Boeing for Botched Starliner Flight Test"
(3) "42 years of measuring the sun, the Earth and the energy in between"
(4) "No Supernova Needed. This Star Collapsed Directly Into A Black Hole"
(5) "The James Webb Space Telescope just mapped auroras on Uranus in 3D for the 1st time, and scientists are thrilled"