Photo: Gaping "Hole" in the Sky Found, Experts Say

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


A "cold spot" in the universe lacks much of the normal cosmic background radiation, left over from the Big Bang, that ripples through the rest of the sky (left, with blue representing colder spots).

Researchers studied radio-wave-emitting galaxies (right) and found such sources were not responsible for the low-radiation region.

The team therefore speculates the spot is an empty hole that is devoid of both regular and dark matter—a structure completely unexpected in modern theories of the universe.

Image courtesy Rudnick et al., NRAO/AUI/NSF, NASA

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.