Scientists atop Mauna Kea may have come up with an explanation for the so-called “Missing Dwarf Galaxies.” Experts have been seeking to explain the discrepancy between the large number of smaller, or dwarf galaxies thought to surround large galaxies like the Milky Way, and the relatively small number observed. Astronomers using the W. M. Keck Observatory studied eight of the darkest, most lightweight galaxies recently discovered, and found each to be among the smallest ever measured. Keck’s Laura Kinoshita told KPUA News that the findings may validate the prediction contained in the “Cold Dark Matter” model, which scientists have relied on to explain the growth and evolution of the universe.
“What this discovery tells us is that this problem of the missing galaxies might actually be solved,” Kinoshita said. “This model predicted that there could be hundreds of tiny little galaxies orbiting the Milky Way and this discovery tells us they might be there, but they might be made out of dark matter, so we might not be able to see them.”
Kinoshita said the challenge for scientists going forward will be finding a way to detect their presence. The tiny galaxies were discovered during a digital sky survey which covered only a small portion of the area. Future surveys of the remainding 75 percent of the sky are expected to uncover as many as 50 more dark matter dominated dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way.
