Dark Matter

[ariechert]

There was an interesting article in the New York Times about Dark matter. Basically what it says is that it makes the majority of the Universe but interacts only weakly with ordinary matter. I think that it is possible that this may be the matter that our spirits are made out of. It was in the Science section of today's Online New York Times.

Here is the url:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/26/science/physical/26NEUT.html

February 26, 2002

Germans' Claim on Dark Matter Is Greeted With Skepticism

By JAMES GLANZ

ARINA DEL REY, Calif., Feb. 22 — Cosmology, the science of the universe in the large, is coming to resemble the literary subgenre in which stories revolve around a shadowy character who never actually appears. Call it the Godot phase of cosmology, after the Beckett play. Or the T. J. Eckleburg phase, after the optometrist whose eyes mysteriously survey the world from a giant billboard in "The Great Gatsby."

The Godot of the cosmos is dark matter, an invisible substance that scientists believe makes up nearly all the mass of the universe, though they have been unable to capture it in any detector. The cosmic T. J. Eckleburg is dark energy — a dodgy, springy kind of stuff thought to fill apparently empty space in amounts that overwhelm even the dark matter. Dark energy has not been seen either; some scientists suspect that it may be undetectable even if it is as real as prescription eyeglasses.

[syzygy]

De-lurking now! :)

What an interesting idea. We know so little about dark matter, it really could be anything, from dust to yet undiscovered fundamental particles. In your scenario, the fact that it's spread so far and wide throughout the universe would suggest a universe absolutely brimming with spirituality.

I wonder how your hypothesis might be scientifically tested?


>>>>Moderators note: according to our referrer logs, this person came here directly from Randi's discussion board, where we're being discussed today, by "Cantata" who boasted about coming to our board to debate us. Membership is being change to "read; no post"<<<<<

[sgrenard]

As we speak our astronauts are up on the Hubble telescope aiming it to what is predictably the end of the universe. Since
"light" reaching us and the telescope has been traveling since the beginning of time (as we know it anyway), the astrophysicists are theorizing that a peek at the end of the universe may finally give us a glimpse into its formation. Short of going there, which would be impossible for us in the physical realm, this is about the only game in town that may, once and for all, just MAY, give us a better idea of what's out there.

[syzygy]

I certainly hope so. Although it seems that everytime we look deeper there it brings up more questions than answers.

If I recall, dark matter was discovered because it exerts weak gravity on ordinary matter. I don't know if our instruments are sensitive enough (probably not), but it may be possible to try to detect the gravitational influence of spirits in our midst, (assuming they are composed of dark matter).

I find this idea fascinating, although actually, I don't think its very likely.

(Wow, been here under a week, and I already have 2 posts!)

>>>> Moderator's note, see above

[sgrenard]

To tune in to some of the latest images coming back from the Hubble Telescope check out the following website:


http://hubble.stsci.edu/gallery/showcase/exotica/index.shtml


Also use your imagination and see what some of these photos remind you of......some of them almost look like human pathology photos! e.g.: I could swear I have seen tumors removed that looked like the "doomed" star.

[Irishrose]

Thanks, Steve for the url. I liked the supernova the best. It draws me in every time I see it.

Irishrose