Dark matter study yields map of universe

SEATTLE, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Astronomers from the United States, using the Hubble telescope, said they mapped dark matter, providing an explanation about the evolution of the universe.

Researchers said the study, published in the journal Nature, provides the best evidence yet that the distribution of galaxies follows the distribution of dark matter, the BBC said.

Dark matter does not reflect or emit detectable light, yet it accounts for most of the mass in the universe because its gravitational pull attracts other matter.

Richard Massey, from the California Institute of Technology and Nature article's lead author, said researchers used a technique called weak gravitational lensing to detect the dark matter. The team also studied the distortion of light as it passes through dark matter to reach earth.

"If you place some dark matter in the way, this dark matter -- through its gravity -- bends the path of light," Massey said. "As the light gets deflected, it distorts the shape of the background galaxies."

Previous studies of dark matter relied on simulations, he said. This study presented its distribution three dimensionally. To add 3-D information, Hubble observations were combined with data from ground-based telescopes.

The scientists presented their research during American Astronomical Society in Seattle.