Mass Extinction and Dinosaurs!

Recently published research out of NYU may provide insight to the harrowing impact that dark matter may have on the fate of earth (http://astronomynow.com/2015/02/19/does-dark-matter-cause-mass-extinctions-and-geologic-upheavals/). The article studies how movement through dark matter effect the orbit of astroids and other objects in space. As stars, gases, dust, meteors, and dark matter intimately travel within a galaxy, their interactions have immense consequences. Below is an image of NGC 4565, a spiral galaxy similar to that of the Milky Way that shows the cluttered nature of space within a galaxy.

http://astronomynow.com/2015/02/19/does-dark-matter-cause-mass-extinctions-and-geologic-upheavals/

While dark matter still remains a mystery in many ways, the research from Professor Michael Rampino indicates that it's existence can throw comets off their orbit and even cause additional thermal heating to planets. As our solar system orbits the Milky Way every 250 million years, it follows a wave-like path that dips in and out of the galactic spiral approximately every 30 million years. During these intersections, our solar system passes through concentrations of dark matter, which leads to the increase in astroid activity and potential for biological destruction. Rampino believes that the earth can actually collect dark matter particles in its core, which can cause increased volcanic activity and increased sea levels. His research argues that over 30 million year periods, there is data in agreement with his claims. One of the most notable instances is the extinction of the dinosaurs that occurred approximately 66 million years ago (~two 30 million year periods).

http://abcnews.go.com/images/Technology/cb_dinosaurs_meteorite_nt_130215_wmain.jpg

 Whether Rampino is right about the role that dark matter plays in the periodic traumas that the earth endures, his research evokes a lot of questions about the role that dark matter plays in the universe, and the different proposed models behind it.

A recent article in Ars Technica takes a look at the Milky Way's rotation using tracers across the galaxy. By marking these objects based on relative velocity, the author is able to get a distribution of the trajectory paths. By observing the behavior of the visual matter, the author illustrates the impact that undetected matter must have. Given the widely unknown nature of dark matter, and it's extensive impact on our universe as a whole, it's exciting to see a wide array of research going into the topic!

http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/02/updated-look-at-milky-ways-rotation-strengthens-the-case-for-dark-matter/