Missing Gas Clouds Found Between Galaxies

Missing Gas Clouds Found Between Galaxies

One of the tests of the modern technological view that the universe will expand forever – the big bang theory – is the amount of matter in the universe. Measurements of the universe’s mass. Derived from the relative motions of galaxies, indicate there is not enough matter to halt and reverse the general expansion of the universe. However, two astronomers presented evidence of large clouds of gas existing in the previously-believed empty spaces between galaxies. The overlooked quantity of matter might be enough to produce gravitational forces to overcome the universe’s expansion.

Robert E, Williams and Ray J. Weymann discovered the intergalactic gas clouds while studying the nature of quasars and the clouds of matter supposedly associated with them. The scientists found that the gas clouds are linked with clusters of galaxies containing quasars, furnishing clues on the evolutionary scheme of galactic clusters.

Molecular cloud which spans for 2 light-years. Image in public domain by Nasa.gov

Although surrounding clouds of gas are not visible on photographs of quasars, spectral studies reveal their presence. Absorption lines in quasar spectra indicate clouds of matter lying between quasars and us absorb a portion of their light. Scientists were led to believe that these gaseous clouds were associated with quasars.

Some clouds, however, appeared to be moving toward their host, although most were moving away from quasars. Reasoning that the mass of a quasar might be determined from an approaching cloud, William and Weymann began their studies.

Using the 90 each Steward Observatory telescope at Kitt Peak, the two researchers established that the light from the quasar (PHL 1222) was passing through several clouds; one of the clouds was moving toward the quasar. The approaching cloud, William said, “is composed of atoms having low ionisation or small positive electric charge(s). Since any matter near a quasar would be highly ionized, the cloud must be at a great distance from the quasar.” He estimated its distance from its host to be “at least 1,000,000 light-years”.

The gas cloud was found to be moving at 1,500 m.p.h. toward the quasars. The gravitation attraction of a quasar is not strong enough to account for the cloud’s speed at these distances. Only the largest clusters of galaxies, William observed, have large enough masses to account for the necessary attracting forces.

“The evidence indicates that the cloud which is moving toward PHL 1222 is not attracted by the quasar or even directly associated with it,” Williams said. “Rather, it is moving under the influence of a cluster of galaxies which contains the quasar.

The existence of such gas clouds suggests there is a substantial amount of matter present between galaxies. It might account for a good portion of the “missing” matter that steady state theorists believe exists. Current estimates of the average density of matter show there is far too little matter present to halt the observed expansion.