Dark Matter Controversy: Unraveling the Cosmic Enigma

[astronic]

Dark matter has long baffled scientists. It's believed to make up around 27% of the universe, yet we can't directly observe it, leading to a fascinating and controversial theory.

Standard Theory: Dark Matter Exists
The prevailing view is that dark matter is composed of elusive particles that don't interact with light or normal matter. This theory explains the observed gravitational effects on galaxies and galaxy clusters.

The Controversy Begins: Modified Gravity
Some scientists propose a different theory called Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). They suggest that instead of dark matter, our understanding of gravity needs a tweak. MOND can explain galactic motion without the need for invisible matter.

Galactic Rotation Curves
One key argument for MOND is the rotation curves of galaxies. In the standard theory, we'd expect to see a drop in orbital speed as you move away from a galaxy's center. But many galaxies have flat rotation curves, which MOND can explain.

Lensing Controversy
Gravitational lensing, the bending of light by massive objects, is often cited as evidence for dark matter. However, some argue that MOND can also explain lensing effects without needing dark matter.

Galaxy Clusters
Galaxy clusters are another piece of the puzzle. The standard theory relies on dark matter to explain their observed mass and gravitational effects. MOND supporters say a modified gravity theory can account for these too.

Cosmic Microwave Background
The cosmic microwave background (CMB) provides strong evidence for the standard theory. It's the afterglow of the Big Bang. Critics argue that alternative theories like MOND can potentially accommodate the CMB data.What's your take on the dark matter controversy?

 

[Questioner]

i will speak only of effect observed in/with galaxies.

if gravity is defined as a distortion of space-time i hypothesize that what is observed is not actually gravity at all.

I propose that photons entangled with a star's interior elements radiate in all directions.
If they encounter stars, planets or dust they decohere.
Some of these entangled photons retain their entanglement as they come under the influence of a black hole.
In conjunction with time dilation near the event horizon they become prolongly fixed in their entangled state.
Some do eventually cross the event horizon,
but those photons just on either side of the event horizon go into orbit around it indefinitely.
This sustains the superposition relationship and that confers location ambiguity.
That spatial ambiguity works as the connector.
The relationship is both in the star's interior and at the event horizon of the black hole.

Since the central black hole of any galaxy has the largest event horizon this unseen connector is most pronouced with the center of each galaxy.

Imagine seeing space-time as a rubber sheet edge on.
For the inner stars this connector angles more 'downward' (more in the direction of standard gravitational warping).
For the outer stars the connector is more nearly parallel with space-time itself. So the effect is most dramatic for these outer stars,
but it isn't an effect of the shape/shaping of space-time.
It is more analogous to a tow line between boats that is below the waterline.
It is a 'spooky action at a distance'.

For any rotating outer star its axis of rotation lines up with the unseen connection.
This is where gravitationally weird effects may ensue around each of these rotating outer stars.
Due to frame dragging on the galactic outer side of the star it 'digs out' a crescent shaped gravity trough.
On the star's inner side a crescent shaped gravity 'mound' piles up. A region of negative gravity that repells mass.
The outer trough picks up light and bends it around likely passing it to the next trough and so on possibly causing the lensing effect.
This would make stable planetary orbits difficult to establish there.

It might even cause the outer trough to be gravitationally 'deeper' than the star's own gravity per its mass,
but that would have to be determined experimentally/observationally.

One could see if this effect happens between any sizable black hole and the stars reasonably near it.
In other words does the black hole seem more attractive to stars than its mass/gravity warrants.

This could explain why there is such a tight correlation between the amount of observed effect and the size of its central black hole in virtually every galaxy out there.

This would explain why the effect travels along with the galaxy without having to drag a lot of sloppy DM with it.

 

[Questioner]

Odd thought,
if the gravity trough of an outer star is greater than its own gravity, maybe a planet could/would orbit inside the gravity trough itself,
always staying on the galactic outside of the star and never orbit the star at all.

 

[erg1122]

The debate surrounding dark matter, a mysterious substance constituting about 27% of the universe, has led to intriguing and controversial theories within the scientific community.

Standard Theory: Dark Matter ExistsThe prevalent perspective suggests that dark matter is comprised of elusive particles that do not interact with light or normal matter. This theory effectively explains the observed gravitational effects on galaxies and galaxy clusters, forming the foundation of the standard model.

The Controversy Begins: Modified GravityIn contrast, some scientists propose the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) theory, suggesting that instead of dark matter, our understanding of gravity requires modification. According to MOND proponents, this alternative theory can account for galactic motion without the need for invisible matter.

Galactic Rotation CurvesA key argument in favor of MOND is the observation of flat rotation curves in many galaxies. In the standard theory, a drop in orbital speed is expected as you move away from a galaxy's center, but MOND can explain the observed flatness.

Lensing ControversyGravitational lensing, the bending of light by massive objects, has been traditionally considered evidence for dark matter. However, some scientists argue that MOND can also provide an explanation for lensing effects without requiring the presence of dark matter.

Galaxy ClustersGalaxy clusters pose another challenge. The standard theory relies on dark matter to explain the observed mass and gravitational effects within clusters. MOND supporters assert that a modified gravity theory can account for these phenomena as well.

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)The cosmic microwave background, the afterglow of the Big Bang, stands as strong evidence supporting the standard theory. Critics, however, argue that alternative theories like MOND may have the potential to accommodate and explain the CMB data.

The dark matter controversy underscores the complexity of our understanding of the universe's fundamental components. As scientists continue to explore and gather evidence, the debate between the existence of dark matter and alternative theories like MOND remains a fascinating and dynamic aspect of contemporary astrophysics.

 

[Questioner]

The problem with 'dark matter' is that within a galaxy we see no evidence of it responding to gravity.

Both matter and antimatter respond to gravity.

The outer edge of DM doesn't migrate inward even under the influence of the DM's cloud/halo of gravity even over the billions of years of a galaxy's lifetime.

DM doesn't pile up around stars and planets and amplify their gravity.

DM isn't cascading into the central black hole of galaxies.

There is an unexpected tight correlation between the hypothized quantity of DM and the size of the central black hole of each galaxy.

"...recent studies have suggested a tight correlation between the masses of the black hole and the galaxy’s dark matter halo. "

Dark Matter Guides Growth of Supermassive Black Holes | Smithsonian Institution

Every massive galaxy has a black hole at its center, and the heftier the galaxy, the bigger its black hole. But why are the two related? After all, the black hole is millions of times smaller and less massive than its home galaxy.

www.si.edu

Imo DM fails as a rational hypothesis to explain the observed effect in galaxies.

Further there may be other gravity curvature that cannot be associated with matter.

Relativity theory doesn't require matter to have gravity/curvature.
Schwarzschild & de Sitter space-times both have gravity/curvature without a single speck of matter yet are consistent with relativity.