News Physics

Dark matter may slow the rotation of the Milky Way’s central bar of stars

A cosmic analog of tree rings hints at how the bar’s spin slowed over time

illustration of the milky way galaxy

The Milky Way (illustrated) contains a central bar of stars (yellow) that rotates along with the galaxy. Researchers reported evidence that the bar is being slowed by the presence of dark matter.

R. Hurt/JPL-Caltech/NASA, ESO

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Dark matter can be a real drag.