'Mass map' probes dark matter (BBC News)

[Dudley_DUright]

Astronomers have made a 'mass map' of one of the most massive structures in the Universe, showing how much more there is to it than glowing stars and gas.

The object is a distant cluster of galaxies that contains 'dark matter,' the unknown component that comprises most of the mass of the Universe.

The map shows it is distributed in much the same way as are the visible stars.

Researchers believe it will lead to a better understanding of the mysterious dark matter even though it does not help them find out exactly what it is.



Dark matter is shaded blue

more...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3077449.stm

[Paschall]

1. The Spice?

:shrug:

[Dudley_DUright]

2. Considering dark matter accounts for about 80-85%

of the mass of the universe, I would say that "we" (ordinary baryonic matter) are the spice.

[Paschall]

3. I was referring to the Spice blue map

An allusion to "Dune." ;-)

There's a more complete story on this map at New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993952

[Dudley_DUright]

4. OK, I get it now

(As a big Frank Herbert fan I should have gotten it the first time). Thanks for the link.