Impossible density in the early universe: Cluster XLSSC 122 changed the map of dark matter

In the world of astrophysics, space sciences and cosmology, a historical discovery has been made that radically shakes the existing theories regarding the formation processes of the universe. IPAC researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) detailed the massive galaxy cluster called "XLSSC 122" with data from the James Webb Space Telescope.

According to the research presented to the public at the 248th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), this huge cosmic structure, located 10.4 billion light years away from the Earth, directly refuted the cosmological models that argued that such a large and organized mass could not have existed in the youth of the universe.

XLSSC 122 dates back to 10 billion years ago, when star formation in the universe reached its peak, called "cosmic noon."

Standard cosmology models predicted that mass accumulation in massive structures occurred in a much more gradual process spanning billions of years. However, precise measurements made by James Webb proved that there is a huge concentration of dark matter and mass at the center of the cluster, much higher than expected.

The enormous gravitational force bending deep space light behind the galaxy cluster broke the record for the "farthest strong gravitational lensing" detected to date in space history.

IPAC researcher Dr. The team led by Kyle Finner; used this lensing effect to map invisible dark matter. Analyzes of light-bending background galaxies confirmed that more than 80% of the gravity at the center of the massive cluster originates directly from dark matter.

In the analyzes carried out by the research team jointly with Yonsei University experts, traces of "intra-cluster light" scattered in the space between galaxies were also imaged at such a great distance for the first time.

It has been documented that this faint line of light emitted by free stars breaking away from colliding and merging galaxies fits perfectly with the central regions where invisible dark matter is concentrated. Intracluster light will be a new optical guide for mapping invisible dark matter in the universe in the future, astronomers report.

Caltech and IPAC scientists have launched a new scanning program with the James Webb Telescope covering hundreds of similar galaxy clusters from the early universe to see whether space models need to be completely overhauled.