Chandra Provides Support For Dark Energy

starannihilator writes "The Chandra X-Ray Observatory has provided new evidence supporting the existence of dark energy, the force causing the acceleration of universal expansion. The new findings support the theory that the universe will expand forever, provided there is enough dark matter. CNN and Newsday are running the story, originally reported by NASA. Chandra's site has some good images and information on the three galaxies clusters studied (Abell 2029, MS2137.3-2353, and MS1137.5+6625)."

Comments

Re:Dark matters

[Too Much Noise]

It's not that simple. Cosmology is now in a position pretty much similar to that of a butterfly trying to understand the passing of seasons. Moreover, as the name says, "dark" matter/energy is undetectable directly (at least, so far) - and it's quite challenging to figure out a 'simple' theory for something that not only you can't observe directly, but the indirect observations are difficult and not always very accurate.

Anyway, since it's not very likely that the knowledge of dark matter will have a significant impact on the daily life anytime soon, relax and enjoy the (slow-moving) show.

Headline is an Exaggeration

[m1a1]

The headline to this story is an exaggeration. Of course, you can't blame it on the author seeing as the headlines of the major news sources were exaggerations as well.

So what, we have more evidence the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. WE ALREADY KNEW THAT! This is just another indication that it's happening. This doesn't "prove" the existence of dark energy. It's still entirely possible (and I would suggest probable) that we just don't know the entire story about gravity. Physicists have gotten gravity wrong before after all.

Re:Dark matters

[hazem]

Why can't scientists just make up their minds already?

Because if they did, they'd be theologians, not scientists.

Re:Dark matters

[ArsonSmith]

I think it is common for people to make up something that helps fill gaps in science. sometimes it turns out right many times it turns out wrong. many times this happens such as space ether.

When we can't explain something we are sometimes better off makeing something up that fills the gap until we can find the more correct answer. There is no such thing as exact science. Only reproduceable observation which eventually becomes accepted fact. Although there is no reason for it to always stay fact if someone says, "Hey, I tried to do the experiment and used this method to test it and I got a diffrent observation!" Well, now it's time to re think that scientific fact.

What happens typically is that the person is downplayed as doing something wrong, adding some new variable to the mix, or something that would throw off the observation in some way. Politics in science is as complicated and painful as anywhere.

Re:"Dark matter" != "Dark energy"

[Mr. Slippery]

Dark matter is normal matter.

Depends on which theory of dark matter you subscribe to. I don't think WIMPs could be considered "normal" matter.