Why doesn't dark matter reside in gas clouds?

In summary, dark galaxies are hypothesized galaxies with few or no visible stars, and their existence has yet to be confirmed. They are distinct from intergalactic gas clouds caused by galactic tidal interactions, as these gas clouds do not contain dark matter. The best candidates for dark galaxies include HI1225+01, AGC229385, and gas clouds detected in studies of quasars. This suggests that gas clouds are the result of tidal interactions between galaxies, rather than containing dark matter.
  • #1
wolram
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Why is it that dark matter does not inhabit gas clouds, I would have thought that thees gas clouds will some day become a galaxy, so why no Dark Matter?
 
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  • #2
I am not sure I understand the premise of your question. Do you have a reference?
 
  • #3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_galaxy

This Wiki article tries to explain Dark Galaxies, but as yet there is no proof of the existence of thees galaxies, If indeed thees gas clouds contain Dark Matter then one can see how galaxies form, but if there is none then that makes matters complicated.
 
  • #4
From the article.
A dark galaxy is a hypothesized galaxy with no, or very few, stars. They received their name because they have no visible stars,[1] but may be detectable if they contain significant amounts of gas. Astronomers have long theorized the existence of dark galaxies, but there are no confirmed examples to date.[2] Dark galaxies are distinct from intergalactic gas clouds caused by galactic tidal interactions, since these gas clouds do not contain dark matter, so they do not technically qualify as galaxies. Distinguishing between intergalactic gas clouds and galaxies is difficult; most candidate dark galaxies turn out to be tidal gas clouds.[3] The best candidate dark galaxies to date include HI1225+01,[4] AGC229385,[5] and numerous gas clouds detected in studies of quasars.
 
  • #5
As stated, the gas clouds are the result of tidal interactions between galaxies ripping the gas out of the dark matter halos. Hence, no dark matter.
 

Related to Why doesn't dark matter reside in gas clouds?

1. What is dark matter and why is it important to study?

Dark matter is a hypothetical type of matter that is believed to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe. It does not emit or absorb light, making it invisible to telescopes. Its existence is inferred through its gravitational effects on visible matter. Studying dark matter is important because it can help us understand the structure and evolution of the universe.

2. How do scientists study dark matter?

Scientists study dark matter through various methods, including observing its gravitational effects on visible matter, measuring its effects on the cosmic microwave background, and using simulations to model its behavior. They also search for indirect evidence of dark matter, such as particles that may be produced when dark matter particles collide.

3. What are gas clouds and how are they related to dark matter?

Gas clouds are large, diffuse clouds of gas and dust in interstellar space. They are important because they are the birthplace of stars and planets. Gas clouds are also related to dark matter because they can be used as a tracer to map out the distribution of dark matter in galaxies. The gravity of dark matter helps to hold the gas clouds together, allowing them to form stars.

4. Can dark matter and gas clouds interact with each other?

While dark matter and gas clouds can both be found in the same regions of space, they do not interact with each other directly. Dark matter does not emit or absorb light, so it cannot interact with the gas in the same way that visible matter does. However, the gravitational effects of dark matter can influence the motion and structure of gas clouds.

5. What is the current understanding of the relationship between dark matter and gas clouds?

The current understanding is that dark matter and gas clouds are closely intertwined in the formation and evolution of galaxies. Dark matter provides the gravitational scaffolding for gas clouds to collapse and form stars, while gas clouds can be used to trace the distribution of dark matter. However, there is still much to learn about the exact nature of this relationship and how it affects the overall structure of the universe.

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