Shedding Light on Dark Matter

James E. Beichler, Ph.D.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Ohio Regional Meeting of the APS 13-14 October 2006

© 2006

Abstract

Nearly three decades ago, a physical anomaly was discovered that

should have shaken physics to its very foundations. That anomaly,

called the galaxy rotation problem, resulted from the difference

between the expected velocities of material objects in the disk

portion of galaxies and their observed velocities. To explain this

anomaly, the concept of Cold Dark Matter (CDM) was invoked.

Alternative explanations such as MOdified Newtonian Dynamics

(MOND) have been proposed, but altering the basis of Newtonian

physics by adding a fudge factor to the laws of motion is

aesthetically displeasing as well as completely unnecessary. The

dark matter halo that surrounds spiral galaxies can be easily

explained if scientists are willing to accept the physical reality of a

fourth dimension of space, which amounts to a fifth dimension of

space-time. This solution may seem radical, but there is ample

evidence in other areas of physics to support the existence of a

fourth spatial dimension. What is commonly called dark matter is no

more nor less than space-time curvature that is not associated with

local matter, but is due instead to the total or global curvature of the

universe as a whole.

Galactic rotation problem

• Observed rotational velocities in the rim of

galaxies cannot be explained by normal

physics and gravitational theory

• The existence of a Cold Dark Matter Halo

around galaxies has been assumed to

account for the discrepancies between

observation and theory, but then this

raises the question WHAT IS CDM?

• Also, what are Hot Dark Matter and Dark

Energy?

Andromeda Normal

Also - Not enough matter

• The other problem – There is only enough

normal matter to account for 20% of the amount

necessary for collapse has been found, so we

have ~ 80% missing or Dark Matter

• The solution - Dark (or dim) matter is any type of

normal matter that does not reflect or produce

visible light

– Large bodies such as giant planets

– Brown Dwarfs and other unseen stars (black holes)

– Large clouds of non-luminous gas

• Or, when a gravitational effect is observed that

cannot be associated with normal (dark or dim)

matter of any kind, then science hypothesizes

that the cause is Dark Matter

Other CDM Candidates

• Quantum solutions – hypothetical particles

such as WIMPS, AXIONS, supersymmetry

particles and other hypothetical non-

baryonic MACHOs

• MOdified Newtonian Dynamics – MOND

– Developed by Milgrom in 1981

– Change Newton’s second law of motion

– Instead of F=ma, the equation should be

F=mµ(a/a

0

)a, where µ(x) is an unspecified

function that depends on size and a

0

is a new

constant

A simple solution

• Physical space is four-dimensional

• Matter equates to a real curvature in the higher

spatial dimension

• This means that space-time, as described in

General Relativity, is five-dimensional, or …

• Space-time curvature is extrinsic instead of

intrinsic as is normally believed in GR

• Kaluza’s theory uses a 5-D mathematical model

to unify gravity and electromagnetism

• This model is compatible will all present laws of

nature and is falsifiable

3-D material Galaxy in 4-D space

The Halo conforms matter to 3-D

Curvature as we ‘see it’

Andromeda actual

Simple geometry of curvature

Core curvature versus Halo

Dark is …

• CDM and HDM are space-time curvature

that is not associated with local matter

• Dark Matter is therefore curvature that can

only be associated with the global or total

material content of the universe

• Dark Energy is actually ‘energy potential’

that arises from a small or minimum

‘thickness’ of 4-D space-time in the fifth

(spatial) direction

Implications

• MOND is out as a viable theory – science

doesn’t need to modify “F = ma”

• Superstrings are out – compactification of

higher-Ds is unnecessary since the 5

th

-D

of space-time is macroscopically extended

• Only a 5

th

-D is needed for total unification

• Einstein-Kaluza 5-D model of space-time

is the best possible theoretical model that

corresponds to this solution of the galactic

rotation problem