Clearest picture yet of dark matter points the way to better understanding of dark energy
Monday, January 9, 2012 - 17:30
in Astronomy & Space
Scientists have independently made the largest direct measurements of the invisible scaffolding of the universe, using the gravitational lensing effect known as "cosmic shear" to build maps of the distribution of dark matter. Their methods show that surveys with ground-based telescopes can measure cosmic shear with enough accuracy to aid in better understanding the mysterious space-stretching effects of dark energy.