Spinning Dark Matter in Cosmic Filaments: Key to Galaxy Formation and Dark Matter Detection?

As the filaments spin, they pull matter into their orbit and toward galaxy 

clusters at each end.  (Credit goes to the rightful artist)

    A recent study suggests that cosmic filaments, which are long, thin strands of dark matter and gas that make up the structure of the universe, may be the largest spinning objects in the cosmos. These filaments are thought to form the scaffolding for the distribution of galaxies in the universe.

The research team used simulations to study the motion of dark matter particles in filaments and found that they rotate around the axis of the filament, with the fastest rotation occurring at the centers of the filaments. The speed of the rotation is also correlated with the density of the filament, with denser filaments spinning faster.

This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the structure and behavior of cosmic filaments, which were thought to be stationary and non-rotating. The researchers suggest that the spinning motion of these filaments could play a role in the formation and evolution of galaxies, as the rotation may cause gas and dust to accumulate in certain areas, leading to the formation of stars.

The study also has implications for the search for dark matter, as the spinning motion of filaments could create detectable signals that could be used to map the distribution of dark matter in the universe. The researchers suggest that future studies could investigate the possibility of using this technique to study the properties of dark matter.

Overall, the study provides new insights into the structure and behavior of cosmic filaments, which are a key component of the universe's large-scale structure. The discovery of their spinning motion could have important implications for our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, as well as for the search for dark matter.