14 DAY TRIAL // The standard cosmological model holds that there is a type of matter known as dark matter permeating the Universe, which accounts for the massive discrepancies that exist between how much matter the Universe has, and the amount it should have, according to predictions. Astronomers hypothesized that dark matter should exist, comprising most of the unseen matter, and exerting its influence on normal matter through the force of gravity alone. Now, some experts propose a new approach to explaining the discrepancy – the Modified Theory of Newtonian Dynamics, or MOND, Space reports.
Astronomical observations have shown over recent years that the amount of mass that can be identified in Cosmos accounts for only a small percentage of the gravitational force that acts on everything. While the dark matter model appeared to explain this discrepancy, by arguing that the extra gravity was generated by this type of matter interacting with the “normal” one, other astrophysicists say that introducing the concept may be totally unnecessary. They argue that MOND can explain exactly why the Universe behaves as if it has more matter in it than it actually does.
The main point MOND adepts make is that experts should not opt to transfer mass to dark matter, but rather alter Einstein's theory of General Relativity. In the new approach, mass has a large capacity of bending space-time, therefore less of it is required in the Universe in order to have the same effect we see today in the skies. However, the obvious major drawback of this idea is that it goes against a well-established theory, which has been proven time and again in many independent studies.
There are also very few physicists that agree with MOND, and even less who are conducting research in the field. “My personal view at the moment is that dark matter is a far simpler theory than any of the modified theories that I've seen,” Oxford University Professor and cosmologist Pedro Ferreira says. He made his point in a review article he published in the November 6 issue of the top journal Science. The expert adds that there are not many people out there adept in tinkering with Einstein's theory just to make a point.
“Very few people have worked on MOND; a very large number of people have worked on dark matter. To compare them is kind of silly because we don't really know enough of whether MOND is working well or not. Just too little effort has been going into MOND,” Hebrew University in Jerusalem physicist Jacob Bekenstein says. He is part of the minority that has been researching MOND seriously. Thus far, MOND has been able to explain the interactions of galaxies, but has failed when it comes to predicting how clusters of galaxies will interact and influence each other.