Mysteries in space
Dark matter and dark energy:
the very definition of unknowns
-Dhruv Roongta
The universe is a mysterious thing, and part of its mystery is dark matter and dark energy, which despite making up roughly 95% of our universe, are barely understood by us.
Some things that we do know about dark matter is that it does not interact with light and other electromagnetic radiation, which makes it virtually undetectable. Interestingly, dark matter was previously known as ‘missing matter’, owing to its almost untraceable existence. Dark matter is known to have an attractive force, which ultimately proved to be vital for its discovery.
In 1933, Swiss-American astronomer Fritz Zwicky discovered that the mass of stars in the Coma Cluster of Galaxies accounted for only 1% of the needed mass to keep the galaxy together. This mystery was unsolved for several decades until the 1970s when two American astronomers confirmed the existence of dark matter through their observation of a similar occurrence. Noticing the mass of the stars visible within a typical galaxy, they inferred that it is only about 10 per cent of that required to keep those stars orbiting the galaxy’s centre.
This Hubble Space Telescope composite image shows a ghostly "ring" of dark matter in the galaxy cluster Cl 0024+17.
Contrary to classical and Hollywood beliefs, dark matter could be made out of baryonic matter after all. This belief, however, is an unpopular opinion, as most scientists believe dark matter is composed of non-baryonic particles. The lead candidate, WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles), have ten to a hundred times the mass of a proton, which would make them very slow (when compared to c). However, for now, they are simply hypothetical.
Dark energy was discovered almost accidentally in the 1920s when American astronomer Edwin Hubble stumbled upon the fact that the universe was expanding at a faster rate than ever before. An increase in the rate of expansion was nearly impossible unless another repulsive force existed. And so the theory of dark energy was born.
A possible explanation of dark energy is that it is merely an inherent property of space. Albert Einstein was the first to predict that space is not just empty, but instead has several properties, some of which we are just attempting to understand at this point. However, conclusive evidence of the origin and nature of dark energy requires substantially more evidence and proof. For now, we can only speculate.
Ultimately, gaining a greater understanding of dark matter and energy is vital to understand more about the size, shape and future of our universe, and how galaxies hold together. So as Neil deGrasse Tyson famously says, “You know, Dark matter matters”.
Remnant Paranoia:
The aftermath of a supernova
-Yash Pandey
Supernova. The very phenomenon that stands testimony to the fact that something beautiful and amazing has to come to an end; the explosion of a star when it dies. A star which can’t handle its own gravitational force collapses from its core and sends out shockwaves and light, a stunning epilogue to the life story of a star.
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Supernovae are capable of outshining and radiating more energy than our sun will in an entire lifetime. One gets the idea that we’d receive copious amounts of light over large periods of time, which gives us enough time to record observations or study these occurrences. The shockwave that a supernova
The awe-inspiring G1.9+0.3.
sends out traverses many light-years and sweeps interstellar matter & debris, adding to the destruction it causes. It is the residual shockwave which scientists call a Supernova Remnant (SNR).
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But what happens when an anomaly of this kind comes into existence?
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The most recent supernova in our galaxy, the Milky Way, houses one of these anomalies. Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3 is the youngest supernova our galaxy has ever seen. It was said to have occurred in 1860, making it roughly 160 years old, which is comparatively younger for something of cosmic importance. According to NASA, the G 1.9 can be explained as the youngest known supernova remnant in the Milky Way. The dating of G 1.9 had caused some Russian scientists to question the fact because there were apparently no records of a visible supernova in the 1860s, which was disproved by the discovery of the supernova.
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The recent change in colour of Pluto and the discovery of 2 new Moons in Pluto’s influence lead scientists to believe that G1.9 might possibly be influencing Pluto. According to scientists though, G 1.9 won’t reach Earth before 2030.
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Or at least, they hope so.
Space exploration:
Where we are, and where we're going
-Aryan mahesh
On the 13th of October 2020, NASA drafted the Artemis Accords - a list of agreements for global cooperation in the use of the Moon, comets and asteroids for peaceful purposes. Quoting the accord itself -
“Adherence to a practical set of principles, guidelines, and best practices in carrying out activities in outer space is intended to increase the safety of operations, reduce uncertainty, and promote the sustainable and beneficial use of space for all humankind. “
As of now, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States have signed the Artemis Accords. All these countries will now have to be completely transparent when it comes to space exploration. These countries will also be required to dispose off their orbiting debris safely to avoid accidents due to the debris’ high speed. These two along with 11 other sections give the rules and regulations that all countries must follow while starting their own space exploration programs.
The Artemis Accord marks the first step in a long lasting era of deep space exploration starting with NASA’s 2024 mission to the Moon.
As of now, our species has launched over 2500 satellites, two of which are now reaching the edges of the solar system. We have sent 14 unmanned probes to Mars the most recent of which is ‘Perseverance’ launched on the 30th of July. Over 500 people have now gone to space, 11 of which have walked on the Moon. Through telescopes, we have seen objects as old as the known universe itself. We, as the human race, have come a long way in forty years.
With the increasing frequency of tests by NASA for it’s upcoming Moon mission, we as a species are now entering our second age of exploration and just as the first one was detrimental for the advancement of civilisation but also started a long period of colonisation, this too has pros and cons.
Through space exploration, asteroid mining, colonisation, and all other aspects that come with it, there can be conflicts. Even Though the Artemis Accord cannot solve all of the inevitable problems that are bound our way such as the danger of weaponizing space crafts, and the unpredictability of the asteroids in the asteroid belt, it is a start. However the attitude towards the advancement of this aspect of our species slows down our progress. It is known that NASA gets less funding than the United States Military. Missions into space, though there are good reasons for it are not really a big priority for many countries.
This is what needs to be changed. Countries are only doing this for their own gain. Though many countries have signed the Artemis Accord, without changing how people look at space exploration, it will create a Solar System spanning civilisation whose peace can break easily. By thinking only in each country’s development rather than the overall development of the human civilisation, we risk our own future.
The Artemis mission to the moon marks the first step in a long journey and it is one that must be taken carefully. We are once again stepping into the unknown and our fear of it shouldn’t let us destroy ourselves.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
― Carl Sagan