2005 04 -- Missing Matter Matters

Missing Matter Matters

Background:
According to our understanding of the laws of motion, galaxies are rotating much faster than they should. Einstein’s theory of gravity has proved correct in virtually all other cases we have been able to observe. However, Einstein’s theory cannot explain this phenomenon.

Scientists think the answer is looking for something we cannot yet measure or understand. So far measurements include all ranges of the spectrum. We use radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray telescopes to try to observe this stuff. When the calculations are done, we find that there should be four times as much stuff out there than we can observe through our measuring devices.

So far, the following explanations have been put forth:
MACHOS (Massive Compact Halo Objects)
Observation: Brightening and dimming of distant stars which might be explained by the gravitational effect of intervening star “lenses”.
Contradiction: They don’t seem to be very abundant
White Dwarfs (The final resting place of small to medium sized stars)
Observation: If they cool more rapidly than we think they should, they are possibly abundant enough to explain the missing mass
Contradiction: The large amount of helium that should thus be produced is not observed
Neutron Stars or Black Holes
Observation: They should be dark, especially Black Holes
Contradiction: These objects are expected to be scarce. Also, they release a lot of heavy elements and energy which is not observed.
WIMPS (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles)
Observation: In theory they could have been produced by a “Big Bang” in sufficient quantities to explain the missing matter
Contradiction: No one has ever observed even one of these particles. That’s a long way from explaining the amount of mass we’d have to find.
Hydrogen Gas
Observation: Three quarters of all matter we observe is hydrogen. Maybe there are many small clouds of hydrogen
Contradiction: Our tools for observation easily measure hydrogen.

With these observations and contradictions come bright minds trying to explain this unknown stuff which has been dubbed dark matter. Perhaps some poetry will find its place into the mind of one of these scientific geniuses and unlock the key to our understanding of the universe.
Missing Matter Matters

Major aMounts of Missing Matter?
No, Matter Must not be Missing!
Our Methods Must Miss the Mark;
We need a Missing Matter Measurer:
A Major Mass Metering Machine…
What Might that Mean?
This Material so Mysterious,
Mocks our Methods.

Although Able Astronomers
Assess Ample dAta Arrays,
Adequate Assessments Avoid Analysis.
Accumulated Asteroidal Articles,
Although Abundant,
Are not yet Adequate
To Adduce an Arrangement
Attested, Avouched, Accepted.

Some Striking GalaXies
Sport Speedily Spinning Stars,
Sending Stymied Scientists
Speculating Sanguine Solutions.
Simply Stated:
Skewed Spectral Statistics
Stump Cerebral Cells
Seeking Salient EXplanations.

Some Silently Standby,
Skeptical, Scoffing, Cynical.
Yet I predict:
A Self-effaCing Theorist
Will think outside the box,
Submerging PreconCeptions,
Synthesizing a Serendipitous hypotheSis,
Sending that perSon into the Scientific Stratosphere.

In hindsight, the solution will seem simple. Every discovery ever made seems that way. Even though the data is voluminous, the right person looking at the data in a new way will slip into an understanding that will revolutionize all subsequent thought. Could that person be you?
©Frank Bliss 2005 All rights reserved.20050401