Dark matter, the elusive substance that makes up much of the matter in the universe, continues to intrigue astronomers. A recent study, detailed in the pre-print server arXiv, delves into the speed at which dark matter can move and its potential role in explaining the behavior of supermassive black holes.
The study zeroes in on a phenomenon called dynamical friction, which is a gravitational drag effect caused by the interactions of diffuse bodies. In the context of dark matter, this effect distorts the shape of galaxies, providing insights into the motion of dark matter near these galaxies.
The researchers focused on identifying distorted galaxies that are not part of dense galactic clusters, indicating that the distortion is likely due to dark matter. By comparing the shape of these galaxies to N-body simulations, the team was able to map the motion of dark matter with a remarkable precision of about 10% data scatter, making it applicable to nearby galaxies.
These findings hold promise for shedding light on the behavior of dark matter and its potential impact on the dynamics of celestial bodies. As astronomers continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe, studies like this contribute to our evolving understanding of the fundamental forces at play in the cosmos.
