NASA scientists confirm first starless, dark matter-dominated cosmic object
NASA astronomers have identified what they believe is the first confirmed example of a starless, gas-rich object primarily composed of dark matter. The discovery, using the Hubble Space Telescope, offers a unique window into galaxy formation and the elusive 'dark universe.'
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed the discovery of an unprecedented cosmic object: a starless, gas-rich body dominated by dark matter. The finding, announced on Monday, provides rare observational evidence for theoretical "failed galaxies" and opens a new avenue for studying the universe's invisible components.
The discovery of 'Cloud-9'
The object, nicknamed 'Cloud-9,' was detected near the spiral galaxy Messier 94. Follow-up observations with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys conclusively showed it contains no stars. "With Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, we’re able to nail down that there’s nothing there," said lead author Gagandeep Anand of the Space Telescope Science Institute. The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
A 'failed galaxy' and a window into dark matter
Scientists describe Cloud-9 as a primordial "failed galaxy"—a clump of dark matter and gas that never triggered significant star formation. "This is a tale of a failed galaxy," said principal investigator Alejandro Benitez-Llambay, noting that such failures often teach more than successes. Team member Andrew Fox called it "a window into the dark universe," providing a rare opportunity to study dark matter, which does not emit, absorb, or reflect light and is only detectable through its gravitational effects.
Implications for cosmology and universal understanding
The discovery validates long-standing theories about galaxy formation and the role of dark matter in the early universe. By studying this dark matter-dominated relic, scientists hope to better understand the conditions that lead to successful galaxy birth versus stagnation. For the global scientific community, including researchers in nations like Türkiye that are increasingly contributing to space and astronomy, such breakthroughs underscore the value of international collaboration and advanced space telescopes in unraveling the most fundamental mysteries of the cosmos.
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