Dark Matter Detected: A Breakthrough in Cosmic Mystery and CHEOPS' Next Milestone

The Space Time series twenty eight, episode one hundred and forty one for broadcasts on the first of December twenty twenty five. Coming up on space Time, have scientists finally detected dark matter? The European Space Agency is cheap spacecraft about to reach another miles stone, and a major disaster at the bike in Or Cosmodrome as the Sawyer's MS twenty eight spacecraft blasts off for the International Space Station. All that and more coming up on space Time. Welcome to space Time with Stuart gary. Well. After nearly one hundred years, astronomers may finally have detected that mysterious substance known as dark matter. A report in the Journal of Cosmology NAST Particle Physics claims scientists detected the elusive substance through the emission of gamma rays generated as dark matter particles collide and annihilate. The observations were made using NASA's Fermi gamma ray space telescope. Back in the early nineteen thirties, it was Swiss astronomer Fritz Vicki who observed that galaxies in space were moving faster than what their masses should allow, and that prompted him to infer the presence of some invisible scaffolding, a sort of dark matter, if you will, which was holding the galaxies together. Now nearly a century later, astronomers may finally, for the first time, have provided direct evidence for dark matter's existence, allowing the invisible substance to be seen. Dark matter has remained largely a mystery ever since it was first proposed. Scientists have only ever been able to indirectly observe dark matter through its effects are normal, that is, observable matter, such as its ability to generate enough gravitation force to hold galaxies together. If their calculations are correct, eighty five percent of the universe's total mass is made up of dark matter. Only fifteen percent of them mass of the cosmos is made up of normal, observable what we call baryonic matter, the stuff that makes up stars and planets and trees and dogs and cats and people. The reason dark matter can't be observed directly is because the particles that make up dark matter don't interact with the electromagnetic force, meaning dark matter doesn't absorb, reflect or emit light. Of course, hypotheses abound, but many researchers think dark matter is made up of something called weekly interacting massive particles or whimps. These are heavier than protons, but they only weekly, if at all, interact with any other forms of matter. Despite this lack of interaction, it's thought that when two whips collide, they annihilate each other in the process, releasing other particles, including gamma ray photons. One of the ways astronomers are trying to determine what dark matter is is looking for regions of space where dark matters should be concentrated, such as the centers of galaxies, including our own Milky Way, and they've been doing that through astronomical observations for years in search of these specific gamma ray emissions. This new study's lead author, Tomonori to Tanny from the University of Tokyo, believes he's finally detected the specific gamma rays predicted by the annihilation of theoretical dark matter particles. Tomnorian colleagues detected gamma rays with a photon energy of twenty gigre electron vaults. Now that's an extremely large amount of energy, and they saw it extending in a halo like structure towards the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Tomonori says, the gamma ray emission component closely matches the shape expected for the Milky Way's dark matter halo. The observed energy spectrum or range of gamma ray emission intensities matches the emission predicted from an annihilation of hypothetical whimps with an approximate mass about five hundred times that of a proton, and the frequency of whip annihilation estimated from the measured gamma ray intensity also falls within the range of theoretical predictions. Importantly, these gamma ray measurements aren't easily explained by other more common astronomical phenomena or gamma ray emissions. The authors therefore consider this data a strong indication of gamma ray emission from dark matter. Tomonori says, if correct, it marks the very first time humanity is see dark matter, and it turns out this means dark matter is indeed a new particle when not included in the current standard model of particle physics, the foundation stone of science's understanding of the universe. If confirmed, it signifies a major development in astronomy in physics, one of the most important discoveries ever. While Tomonoi is confident that his gamma ray measurements are in fact detecting dark matter particles. His results still need to be verified through independent analyzes by other astronomers. Even with this confirmation, scientists will still want additional proof that this halo like radiation being observed is indeed the result of dark matter annihilation rather than originating from some other astronomical phenomena. Additional proof of wimp collisions in other locations that harbor high concentrations of dark matter would bolster these initial results. Detecting the same energy gamma ray emissions from say, dwarf galaxies within the Milky Way halo would support tom NOI's analysis, and he says this could be achieved once more data is accumulated, and if so, it would prove even stronger evidence that some gamma rays originate from dark matter collisions. This is space time still to come. The European Space Agency's cheap spacecraft about to reach another milestone and a major disaster at the bikin Or Cosmodrome as the Sawyer's MS twenty eight spacecraft blasts off for the International Space Station. All that and more still to come on space time. The European Space agency ISPs spacecraft's about to hit another milestone as it heads towards its sixth year of what was originally meant to be a three and a half year mission. CHIOPS, the Characterizing Exoplanets satellite, was launched back in December twenty nineteen, on the mission to determine the size of known exoplanets, that is, world's orbiting stars other than the Sun. The probe is positioned in a seven hundred kilometer high Sun synchronous orbit and is equipped with a thirty centimeter optical telescope. The spacecraft's observations will estimate an exoplanet's mass, its density, and its composition, allowing better hypotheses of its likely formation. CHIOPS will measure the size of known transiting exoplanets orbiting brighton nearby stars, and it will also be searching for predicted it's of exoplanets previously discovered by way of radial velocity measurements. Now, the transit method involves monitoring a dip in starlight observed as an orbiting planet passes in front of its host star, as seen from Earth, or at least in this case, as seen from CHIOPS. The radio velocity method involves monitoring how the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet causes a slight wobble in its host star. Now that wobble can be detected through a slight red or blue shifting of the spectrum of light emitted by the star. In twenty twenty three, the chip's mission was extended to twenty twenty six, allowing astronomers to widen their observation to search for EXO moons, that is, Moon's orbiting planets orbiting alien stars. CHIOPS project scientist Kate Isaac has the preps been especially focused on exoplanets in the Earth to Neptune size range. This report from EASTERTV. CHAOPS is a satellite and ESO science program. The acronym CHAOPS stands for Characterized Seeing Exoplanets satellite, and that is exactly what we'll do. We observe stars that are known to host exoplanets, so in that way we know where to point and when to point, and we'll measure the output of these stars and look for the transit of the planet across the disk of the star. So we will look for the. Small changes in light that take place when a planet moves across the star. Our observations could take six, eight, ten, twelve hours and By measuring the dip, we can determine the size of the planet. By combining the size of the planet with its mass, we're able to determine its mean density. By combining this with information that we have about the host star itself, we can start to say something about something very concrete about the composition of the planet, its internal structure, and so start to lead on to its structure, formation, and evolution history. Very important information about planets beyond our own Solar system. And this is the first time this is done. I mean, you know where to look at, but you don't know exactly. But I mean, this is the added value of KOPS. The added value of CHAOPS is we're following up on known targets. So instead of missions such as Kepler tests and indeed plato Isa's future exoplanet mission, we know where to point, so we're able to make very efficient observations. We move and point towards a star when we know that the planet is going to transit. So instead of spending several months maybe pointing at a bank fraction of the sky looking for the transit, monitoring very many thousands of stars and looking for small dips in their output, we're able to go quickly around the sky, maybe spend ten twenty thirty hours on known stars, known bright stars, and to measure the sizes of their planets. In that way you mentioned the deep meaning that it would be something in front of the star or on the sun. Because it solar systems, you are looking at you in. A way planetary systems. So what we're doing is we're looking at the planets as they owe orbit around their host star. So in the same way that the Earth goes around our star, our Sun, other planets orbit their own host stars. And what we'll do is we will monitor these stars and we look for these dips as the planet moves across the disk of the star. As seen by us from a large distance. We're able to determine the size of the planet from the small dip in the outfoot of the star. So in the light that we measure from the star, you. Will able to tell us if there are Earth like planets some life on. This be focusing on small planets, so Earth to Neptune size size planets, and by combining the sizes the very precise and accurate sizes that we get with measurements from chaops, with measurements of mass that will be made from telescopes and observatories on Earth. We can get the density now. As you know, density is something that tells us about what the planet is made of. Something that has a high density, something like iron. Is very much more compact, whereas if something has a low density, it's more gassy. Earth is somewhere in between. And so by technical knowing, by being able to work something out about the density, we're able to say something about whether the planet is Earth like or whether it's more gassy instead. And in that report from ECTV, we're from CHIPS project scientist Kate Isaac from the European Space Agency. This is space time still to come, a major disaster at the bigen Or Cosmodrome, and later in the science report and you study warns that people suffering from autism are far more likely to have suicide related behaviors. All that and more still to come on space time. It's been a major disaster at the bike and or Cosmo Drome. As then you crew launched into orbit bound for the International Space Station. The trio had launched on the forty seven until Sawyer's two and a rocket from the Cosmo Drome in the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan. Kotz Ferzkoff reporting that he and his crewmates Chris Williams and Sergim mckayeth are ready for launch, and five engineers through the s on module Kenner. Everything is in good shape. The launch control reporting that the range at Baiknor is clear, the Sawyer's rocket ready to begin its journey. The cons is ready go for launch. Launch k insorted go for lunch sequence. The launch key now has been inserted in the launch bunker, transitioning the launch sequence into its automatic mode. In about thirty seconds, on board systems will be transition into on board control. Sergei kuds Ferchkoff, the Soyuz commander in the center seat, flanked to his left by Sergei mckayev and to his right NASA's Chris Williams, Williams and McKay of about to embark on their first journey into space. This is the second flight into space for cuds firch Cooff, a bichan or native and seventy The fuel lines and other elements of the rocket engines are being purged with nitrogen right now that fire proofs them by removing vapors of fuel and oxidizer from the base of the launch pad. The skies have cleared nicely over the bikan Or Cosmodrome. Temperatures in the mid forties fahrenheit. The ground propellant feed in the process of being terminated to the rocket. The booster tanks now pressurized for flight. Okay, I covered the report ground power disconnect. The vehicle on internal power. The first umbilical now retracting. The prestonbilical tower from booster. Ground rebel generation. Terminated, the second of bilical now retracting. I'm standing by for engine sequence start. We have main engine ignitions, preliminary intermediary t minus four seconds three two one engine and lift off holiday travel. Underway, a. Space on board systems, all on board systems and nomination. You're down first stage performance reported from the blockhouse in Bikenor. While I'm in the company. Thirty seconds into the flight, so use booster arcing out to the northeast from the mic and Or Cosmodrome. They've been to enroll pitching off program. Good structural stability on the rocket. Engine chamber pressure is nominal on board passing through the area of maximum dynamic pressure. On the vehicle max queues. It's called good first stage engine performance reporting. The vehicle is nominal. Everything's fine on board as well, and we. Have confirmation of first stage separation. The stop on boosters falling away phenomenally. Confirmed. The soy is now operating on the power of its second stage engine. The launch shroud and encapsulating the Soyuz spacecraft are now the jettison. All is green from the blockhouse in bike noor kod sperits Gov reports he and his crewmates are in good shape, feeling great. Your pigeon roll our all nominal, and we on our side. Everything's fine on board. We're feeling good, and. We have a second stage shutdown. Second stage separation confirmed. The third stage engine now propelling the soy Us to its preliminary orbit, providing sixty seven thousand pounds of thrust. The spurn will continue until about the eight minute forty six second mark, when it will shut down and the Soyuz will be placed into its preliminary orbit. The vehicle is nominal, happy, everyth is fine on board. The three expedition seventy three seventy four crew members arrived safely at the space station. The Sayus MS twenty eight spacecraft flew on a two orbit fast rendezvoust trajectory, docking onto the nadir port of the orbiting utpurst Razvet module just three hours and eleven minutes after launch. The Sawyer's MIS twenty eight crew are slated to remain on station for eight months, returning to Earth in July twenty twenty six. However, while that mission proceeded smoothly, major drama was unfolding back on Earth at the bikan Or Cosmodrome. It appears the main service access platform at the Site thirty one launch complex at Bikanor collapse during the liftoff off the Soyuz mission. The Myrbos service tower was torn off by the exhaust plum of the Sawyer's first stage, collapsing into the fire protection pit and destroying the service bridges and access gantries. The extent of the damage means Pad thirty one is now unusable. This is the only launch facility at baiken Or or for that matter, in Russia that can support manned Russian space missions. It means that for the first time in sixty years, Moscow doesn't have the ability to send people into space. It also means the upcoming launch of the Progress m S thirty three cargo ship bound for the International Space Station, which was slated for December the twenty first, has now been delayed indefinitely. Early estimates suggest that repairs and reconstruction could take up to two years to complete. There are no alternative launch facilities available, so ros Cosmos will now need to look at modifying other sous launch complexes, such as those of the possessed cosmodrome north of Moscow or the Neuvaskoshni Cosmodrome in Russia's far East. Even maybe the unused so He's launched padded the European Space Agency Spaceport INKU of French Guyana. Although we're the current band by Europe on cooperation with Russia following the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, that may be difficult. This is Space time and time out to take a brief look at some of the other stories making news in science this week with a science report. A new study warns that people suffering from autism are more likely to have suicide related behaviors and psychological distress. The findings reported in the journal Autism Research, shows that these behaviors are more likely irrespective of previous traumatic experiences. The research shows that as many as one in four people on the autism spectrum have reported suicide attempts across their lifetime, and autistic people also have a higher likelihood of adverse life experiences. The study examined four hundred and twenty four autistic three hundred and forty five non autistic adults, looking across ten issues education, employment, finances, social services, the criminal justice system, childhood victimization, adulthood victimization, domestic abuse, lack of social support, and mental health. They found autistic people who experienced childhood victimization, something that happens in almost one hundred percent of cases, were more likely to report mental health conditions later in life, conditions which impacted their daily life, as well as self harm such as cutting, suicide plans and or suicide attempts. Archaeologists claim the famous Easter Island statues of Rapa Nui were likely created by numerous independent groups rather than under the auspices of a single hierarchical organization. The famous heritagested statues were carved by Polynesian communities from the thirteenth century. The studies authors collected over eleven thousand images creating a three dimensional model of the main Moai Stone Statue quarry, which included hundreds of moai preserved in various stages of completion. There were analysis reported in the journal Plus One revealed thirty distinct centers of quirrying activity, which featured different carving techniques and that the authors say suggest multible independent work areas. They also found evidence for moai transport out of the quarry in many different directions, and the authors say this suggests that moai construction, much like the broad O Rapanui society, was not organized by central management. The authors say the findings challenged a common assumption that this scale of monument production required a hierarchical organization. A new study is found that a three point four million year old partial foot discovered in Ethiopia back in twenty oh nine may belonged to an ancient human relative named Australopithecus de remeda, a more primitive species of the early hominid than the more famous Lucy, who was an Ostropithecus afarensis. Previously, the species that the swift belonged to couldn't be identified because identification requires a bit more fossil evidence than just some foot bones, but the author's recently discovered more fossils in the same areas where the foot was found, including a jawbone, pelvis, and skull fossils, and they belonged to the earlier species, suggesting that the foot may also be from that same individual. A report in the journal Nature says and analysis of the enamel on the teeth found in the jawbone suggest that these early hominids ate leaves, fruits and nuts from trees, shrubs, or herbs, and may have spent quite a lot of time actually living in trees. Well, to quote the immortal doctor Sheldon Cooper, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support clair voids of any kind, which means that fortune telling is a fraud. The profession is a swindle at its livelihood dependent on the gullibility of stupid people. I say that in the prelude to this story about fame TV psychic Sylvia Brown, she gained infamy for widely inaccurate predictions to the families of missing children, and it appears she's gone viral yet again, but this time for the right reasons. Clips of Brown shared around social media are gaining popularity. Mocking her as a grifter who said the wildest nonsense that she simply pulled out of thin air. Tim Mendem from Austrian's Skeptic says, perhaps there is her for some level of sanity and lacidity to triumph on the Internet over psychic swindlers and deplorable grifters like Sylvia Brown. Sylvia Brown was a American psychic in quotes who was famous for making predictions about people who have disappeared where they would be found or not found, as the case may be. She was a fairly blunt woman. A grieving period would come to her and say, I want to find my child. They disappeared, where they're gone to Antibu blunts, are not their dead or they're alive, and I'll come back to et cetera. She was terrible at it, but she was good at presenting it and had confidence in it. She was very rich. She ended up being Her statements about people who were dead were often proved wrong. Like there was a famous case where she was talking to a parent of a girl who disappeared and she told the parent that, no, your child is dead. They've found in a river or something like that, and the parents were totally despairing, and one of them, my mother died and then a few years later the daughter turned up. She had been kidnapped, one of those cases if someone kept in the room for a long time, and she had been kids actually turned up because the parents had been devastated by what Sylvia Brand had told them. And the reverse is also true when she said, oh, no, your child is living in another city. They got married or something like that, and they got kids and turned out they're dead right, and they died shortly after they disappeared. She is and you can say all sorts of rude names for her, but we won't because there was the family char But she was notorious, and she played on her bluntness. People say, oh, she's not the usual psyche who's very nice to us. She's actually very straightforward. She must know what she's talking about, because she's sort of a glum glum to the person. I think she would smile, and that would worry because she's a fairly extreme person with very extreme makeups. She had horrible nails, and a lot of people were very very anti Sylvia Brown and once she died, which was a few years ago, a lot of stories would come out about how terrible it was. And apparently there's a lot of story that just cropped up recently has become a bit of a viral being again to raise the horribleness of Sylvia Brand and all the stories that she supposedly told people that were wrong, and they're calling her a grift who quote made the wildest nonsense that he pulled it as in there, and yet she became rich of it. About the pestilence of psychic swindlers, isn't it. Very much so? And this is this is sort of one of the things that get very involved about and very upset about, is when they hear about psychics making predictions to things and taking advantage of what you call brief vampires, taking advantage of someone whose child or family members died and they're trying to get in such or whose child or something has disappeared. And there's definitely psychics out there. He was rubb there together and said, oh money, and they will then take advantage of a grieving person as the lowest of love. And the psychics you see you think of in the cartoon version of a woman with a scarf wrapped around the head looking like a gypsy woman that sort of thing. It's far from the truth, and the psychics can be very very dangerous in what they say to people. Then, even when they're supposedly trying to be nice and friendly and things that could be very harmful to be financially so be wasting time and sort of emotionally, it can be quite devastating either way off in false hope or by giving false grief or unfounded grief. It becomes an unfunny topic that the skeptics get a bit of a night about when they realize how much money and grief is involved in them. That's timendum from Austria and Skeptics, and that's the show for now. Space Time is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through bytes dot com, SoundCloud, YouTube, your favorite podcast download provider, and from space Time with Stuart Gary dot com. Space Time's also broadcast through the National Science Foundation, on Science Own Radio and on both iHeartRadio and tune in Radio. 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