National Astronomy Meeting: Thursday

How are astronomers modelling the dark matter in the Universe?
04 July 2013
Presented by Dominic Ford

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NGC 6744 Galaxy

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Dark matter has long been needed by cosmologists to explain how structures like galaxies remain so strongly bound together. Catherine Peymans from the University of Edinburgh tells me about the latest models of dark matter, meanwhile Benoit Famaey and Hongsheng Zhao tell me how they believe that cosmological models can be constructed that don't have any dark matter at all.

In this episode

NGC 6744 Galaxy

01:15 - The Dark Universe

What do we know about dark matter and dark energy? Catherine Heymans gives me an update.

The Dark Universe
with Catherine Heymans, University of Edinburgh

Transcript to follow.

Massive objects bend the fabric of spacetime.

08:40 - Is dark matter real?

Can the need for dark matter in cosmology be escaped by modifying the laws of gravity?

Is dark matter real?
with Hongsheng Zhao, University of St Andrews

Hongsheng Zhao presented the first modelling of the dynamics of the Local Group to use a rival model to dark matter, called MOND, at NAM today. But what is MOND, and is it credible? I talk to believers and skeptics.

Artist's impression of the 5km diameter central core of SKA antennas.

21:12 - Big astronomy and mega big surveys

What can we learn from huge surveys of the sky?

Big astronomy and mega big surveys
with Andy Lawrence, University of Edinburgh

Dominic Ford speaks with Andy Lawrence, from the University of Edinburgh, at the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2013.

The asteroid Gaspara

27:06 - Avalanches on asteroids

The surfaces of asteroids may be so unstable, that any attempt to land on one might cause long-distance avalanches of material.

Avalanches on asteroids
with Ben Rozitis, The Open University

Transcript to follow.

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