Dark Matter and Galaxies Part Ways in Collision between Hefty Galaxy Clusters

Dark Matter and Galaxies Part Ways in Collision between Hefty Galaxy Clusters

Description: This composite image shows the distribution of dark matter, galaxies, and hot gas in the core of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. Data from Chandra (green) show the hot gas in the clusters and provides evidence that a collision took place. Optical data from Hubble and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii are shown in red, green, and blue. Starlight from galaxies within the clusters, which has been smoothed to show the location of most of the galaxies, is colored orange. Confirming a previous observation, this result reveals that a clump of dark matter resides near most of the hot gas, where very few galaxies are found.

Creator: Chandra X-ray Observatory Center

Date Created: 3/2/2012

Repository: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Image ID: a520

Permanent URL: chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2012/a520/

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3 thoughts on “Dark Matter and Galaxies Part Ways in Collision between Hefty Galaxy Clusters

  1. godisinusall (GreyReb in+out + real busy)
    godisinusall (GreyReb in+out + real busy) says:

    Awesome image !! This is truly cool !!!!!! Thank you for sharing !!

  2. johntcat

    How some one could deduce that dark matter exists from that photograph is unfathomable. I know alot about astronomy and physics but I never knew that creating a fictional "element" to bolster an incorrect theory was part of the scientific method. And everybody’s wondering why the government has a budget crisis.

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