The Lambda-CDM, the standard model of big bang cosmology, believes that the universe consists of three key components: the cosmological constant, cold dark matter and conventional matter. The cosmological constant is a coefficient that Einstein used to explain his equations for general relativity, cold dark matter is slow-moving particles without radiation, and regular matter that people interact with every day.
The Lambda-CDM model suggests that smaller galaxies should be captured by the gravity of larger host galaxies, and their orbits are randomly distributed around the latter, but this assumption has not been observed in the real universe.
Two researchers from the University of Nottingham have proposed an explanation. They believe that, given the existence of dark matter, a “fifth force” in space may be arranging galaxies into disks.
According to their theory, a hypothetical particle called a symmetron would create an invisible “wall” in space that would keep galaxies all arranged in disks.
“Because there is already dark matter and dark energy, we need to introduce new particles into the Standard Model for this to make sense,” said Aneesh Naik, a researcher at the University of Nottingham.
He added, “This is the basis for people to study the theory of relativistic space-time symmetry, which is a new candidate particle for dark energy and dark matter.”
The researchers believe that these particles would exist in groups of different polar states, creating an invisible wall in space. These “invisible” walls also allow smaller galaxies to be arranged in disks around larger host galaxies.
If scientists are to prove the existence of an “invisible wall” in space, they need to prove the existence of symmetries. Naik and University of Nottingham physicist Clare Burrage have plenty of work to do.
