04.02.2021
Satellite Uses
ESA satellite proves critical in the dark matter pursuit
Data from ESA’s Gaia satellite has formed the basis for a host of previously unidentified stars, offering fresh
insight into dark matter and galactic cannibalism.
Writing in Nature Astronomy, researchers from the UK, US and Australia cited data from the Gaia programme when making the case for a dark matter halo surrounding the Tucana II ultrafaint dwarf galaxy.
Accompanied by data from the Australian National University SkyMapper telescope, the team identified nine stars at the edge of Tucana II, demonstrating the system to be markedly more expansive than previously thought.
“In order to hold onto those stars and not have them be tidally stripped by the Milky Way, Tucana II needs to have a lot of mass,” said Dr Denis Erkal of the University of Surrey.
