Dead Galaxy Could Contain A Wealth Of Dark Matter
- 9 years ago
Astronomer Evan Kirby recently measured the total mass of a galaxy that rests on the edge of the Milky Way. According to his calculations, the galaxy may contain the highest concentration of dark matter in the known universe.
Triangulum II is a dwarf galaxy made up of only 1,000 stars, but it might contain a massive amount of dark matter.
Caltech Assistant Professor of Astronomy, Evan Kirby, recently measured the galaxy's total mass by analyzing the velocity of six stars contained within it.
Kirby noted, "The galaxy is challenging to look at. Only six of its stars were luminous enough to see."
With such measurements, he was able to determine the amount of gravity being exerted on the stars and ultimately determine Triangulum II’s mass.
Triangulum II is a dwarf galaxy made up of only 1,000 stars, but it might contain a massive amount of dark matter.
Caltech Assistant Professor of Astronomy, Evan Kirby, recently measured the galaxy's total mass by analyzing the velocity of six stars contained within it.
Kirby noted, "The galaxy is challenging to look at. Only six of its stars were luminous enough to see."
With such measurements, he was able to determine the amount of gravity being exerted on the stars and ultimately determine Triangulum II’s mass.