Dark Matter Core Defies Explanation in Hubble Image

ABOUT THIS IMAGE:

This image shows the location of most of the mass in merging galaxy cluster Abell 520's core, which is dominated by dark matter. Dark matter is an invisible substance that makes up most of the universe's mass. The dark-matter map was derived from Hubble Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 observations, by detecting how light from distant objects is distorted by the cluster galaxies, an effect called gravitational lensing.

Abell 520 resides 2.4 billion light-years away.

Object Name: Abell 520

Image Type: Astronomical

Credit: NASA, ESA, and M.J. Jee (University of California, Davis)

NEWS RELEASE IMAGES

The above image is part of a montage:

Montage Image: Galaxy Cluster Abell 520 (plus CFHT, HST, CFHT/HST, and CXO overlays) Image Type: Astronomical/Annotated PRC2012-10b Galaxy Cluster Abell 520 (HST-CFHT-CXO Composite) Image Type: Astronomical Galaxy Cluster Abell 520 (CFHT and HST) Image Type: Astronomical Galaxy Cluster Abell 520's Luminosity (CFHT) Image Type: Astronomical Galaxy Cluster Abell 520's Hot Gas (Chandra) Image Type: Astronomical

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