Utilizing the ultra-sharp images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have successfully crafted a highly detailed, wide-area mass map of the Universe. This groundbreaking map reveals the intricate interweaving of dark matter and ordinary matter, stretching from the filaments of galaxies to the dense clusters. Developed as part of the COSMOS-Web survey, this new map boasts more than double the resolution of previous efforts and delves deeper into the early universe’s evolution.
This web image shows about 800,000 galaxies, overlaid with a dark matter map in blue. Image credit: NASA / STScI / J. DePasquale / A. Pagan.
Dark matter constitutes roughly 85% of the universe’s total matter, yet it’s challenging to detect since it neither emits nor absorbs light, rendering it invisible to standard telescopes.
However, its gravitational influence alters the trajectory of light from far-off galaxies.
By examining subtle distortions in the shapes of numerous distant galaxies, scientists can ascertain how this unseen mass is distributed, irrespective of its nature.
When compared with known luminous structures, researchers can pinpoint the locations of dark matter.
Previous mass maps generated using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories suffered from limited resolution, sensitivity, and area coverage, restricting their views to only the largest cosmic structures.
Dr. Diana Scognamiglio from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and her team harnessed Webb’s imaging capabilities to analyze the shapes of approximately 250,000 galaxies, reconstructing the most detailed mass map of a contiguous universe region to date.
“This is the most extensive dark matter map produced in conjunction with Webb, boasting clarity unmatched by any prior dark matter maps from other observatories,” stated Dr. Scognamiglio.
“Previously, we only glimpsed blurred images of dark matter.”
“With Webb’s extraordinary resolution, we can now observe the universe’s invisible framework in unprecedented detail.”
This new map uncovers substantial galaxy clusters along with intricate networks of dark filamentary bridges and low-mass galaxies, too faint or too distant to be spotted by conventional telescopes.
These formations align with major cosmological models, suggesting that galaxies emerge at dense points between the dark matter filaments spreading throughout the universe.
Dr. Gavin Leroy, an astronomer at Durham University, remarked: “By illustrating dark matter with unparalleled precision, our map demonstrates how the unseen elements of the universe shaped visible matter, facilitating the creation of galaxies, stars, and ultimately, life itself.”
“This map highlights the crucial role of dark matter, the universe’s true architect, which gradually organizes the structures we observe through our telescopes.”
Professor Richard Massey of Durham University added, “Wherever normal matter exists in the universe today, dark matter is also present.”
“Every second, billions of dark matter particles pass through your body. They are harmless and continue on their paths unnoticed.”
“However, the entire cloud of dark matter surrounding the Milky Way possesses enough gravity to keep our galaxy intact. Without dark matter, the Milky Way would disintegrate.”
For more information, refer to the published results in this week’s edition of Nature Astronomy.
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D. Scognamiglio et al. Ultra-high resolution map of (dark) matter. Nat Astron published online on January 26, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02763-9
Source: www.sci.news
