"This result does not fit in with the currently accepted cosmological models, which include dark matter."
  • Massive galaxy NGC 1277 may be the first cluster of stars, planets, dust and gas to be free of dark matter.
  • The discovery of NGC 1277 is inconsistent with accepted cosmological models that include dark matter.
  • Dark matter is invisible, but its presence can be determined by gravitational interactions.
  • NGC 1277 is considered a cosmic relic and is needed to study the formation of the first galaxies.
  • The study found that NGC 1277’s mass distribution was the same as that of its everyday contents, with no dark matter.
  • The standard model of cosmology assumes a content of dark matter from 10% to 70%, but the results of the study indicate the complete absence of dark matter.
  • Scientists offer two possible reasons for the absence of dark matter: interaction with the environment or displacement from the system during the formation of the galaxy.
  • The team plans to continue exploring NGC 1277 with the William Herschel telescope.