Did FermiLab Researchers Get a First Glimpse of Dark Matter?
Scientists from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment (CDMS), managed by the Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, have detected two events at a facility located a half-mile underground at the Soudan mine in northern Minnesota, that have characteristics consistent with the particles that physicists believe make up dark matter. However, there is a chance that both events could be the signatures of background particles – other particles with interactions that mimic the signals of dark matter candidates. So whats next? Researchers will boost the size of detectors and then patiently wait for new data sets that will hopefully offer more compelling evidence for dark matter.
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<br>What I mean is: Thanks to Mike Kurylowicz for finding this news item, not the Dark Matter.<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>Guy Pirro
Nice job on this article, Guy. Thanks for posting it, I'm sure many folks enjoyed reading it.<br>As a matter of coincidence, my brother worked on this project some years ago. He was a little jealous of the credit you gave me - until he read, as you put it, that I'd found the article, not Dark Matter. We both had a good laugh, thanks for this.<br><br>Keep up the good work!<br><br>Cheers,<br><br>Mike Kurylowicz
Since Climategate I've grown skeptical. How much of this is about the money? Are these people really doing anything useful? Is this another jobs program for Phds?<br><br>The high priests of science have proven they can't be trusted.
<blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="italic"><i>Bob Young said:</i><br><br>Since Climategate I've grown skeptical. How much of this is about the money? Are these people really doing anything useful? Is this another jobs program for Phds?<br><br>The high priests of science have proven they can't be trusted.</div></blockquote>
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2009/12/a_tantalizing_hint_of_dark_mat
Well, isn't that the Genesis Probe from The Wrath of Khan? IIRC (from Search for Spock) Kirk's son David cheated, using protomatter (use of which every ethical scientist disavows). Just great- now the Klingons are gonna come and try to destroy us. <br><br>Jess Tauber
So - is it true? Are PHDs our new generation of cave dwellers?<br> <br>Does theoretical physics mean investing millions in every cockamamie idea that might possibly, eventually, conceivably (in certain cases - based on theoretical possibilities - given certain unusual conditons) hint at a particular phenomemna that would better legitimize dark matter not as a real, but rather a placebo for a missing numerical factor whose application is inconsequential within decadent temporal values, yet critical in calculating values of tachyonic properties between curved planes formed by gravitational particulates roaming around in space like body lice looking for a moist environment oor even a void? <br><br>Please excuse me now. I've just been struck by a neutralino. Looks like I'll have to reinsert the wire sticking out between my nose and my right eyeball. Good night.
Two hits do not dark matter make. Me thinks they are still in the dark on this one. <br><br>Jud
The reason I poke fun is a serious one: "Dark Matter" and Dark Energy are hastily chosen terminologies. The designations Undefined Mass Emulation(UME)and Undefined Energy Emulation(UEE)would be more accurate. <br><br>What - do we just hope a piece of this "fairy dust" is going to find its way to a subterranean chamber? What a flimsy stretch. <br><br>When I read articles that indicate there is much more UME than what we know as matter, and some UEE which accelerates expansion of the universe, it becomes clear spending millions to dig holes was a waste. Is there really some kind of exotic other "matter" or is there an effect that manifests itself as the appearance of such? Same goes for energy.<br><br>My personal hope is that the next ten years of research will not be pissed away on subterranean chambers, but rather on collider research projects and sky surveys covering as wide a range of the EM spectrum as possible - even sound. At this point, perhaps we should be focusing our hole digging budget on developing new systems for data analysis. <br><br>As physicists read these surveys and begin studying the boundaries between voids and strings of galaxy super clusters, it is likely we will better be able to characterize UME and UEE. Patience does not mean waiting; it means not getting carried away.<br><br>No more holes and detectors - please; just real science.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Funding Member
