Description:

     In our project, we study the invisible matter that permeates the universe.  The dark matter mystery has posed a significant obstacle to modern cosmology.  Our study is divided into four primary aspects: modern scientific understanding, ancient Greek understanding, direct observations, and mathematics.  Through the modern scientific understanding, we will describe and evaluate the primary theories of dark matter.  The ancient Greek understanding of the invisible forces that move the heavens will be contrasted with the modern scientific understanding.  Direct observations in conjunction with mathematics allowed Vera Rubin to predict the presence of dark matter.  We are observing galaxies m81 and m82, however without sensitive electronic equipment, we must find galactic rotation curves elsewhere.  We will then apply mathematical expressions to this data to determine whether galaxies follow Kepler's predicted orbit.

Tasks:

     Ethan has taken on the burden of gathering and presenting data concerning the scientific understanding of dark matter.  This includes the discovery of dark matter, modern theories as to its composition, and the implications of dark matter with respect to scientific cosmologies.  Ethan also has concerned himself with the naked eye observation task of locating and viewing galaxies similar to those observed by Vera Rubin in her discovery of dark matter.

     Aaron has attacked the cosmologies portion of this project by attempting to understand how the ancient Greek civilization, as represented by Aristotle, understood the motions of the heavens.  This understanding will then be tied to our dark matter project through the notion of invisible forces acting upon observable matter.  Aaron is also responsible for the presentation of the web site and its development.

     Both Ethan and I will collaborate on the applications of Kepler's laws with respect to the velocity of rotating hydrogen atoms in galactic disks.  We will first find data on hydrogen velocity measurements in the disks of spiral galaxies.  We will then post a page to help understand the expected rotations of moving bodies, as proposed by Kepler, and contrast this data with the actual speeds of rotation.  We will both begin searching for photographs of spiral galaxies on the web.

Progress:

     Ethan-  I have collected nearly all of my sources.  I am still searching for Vera Rubin's publication in which she first mentions the presence of dark matter.  I am well into organizing the data I have collected into a meaningful outline.  My understanding of elementary particle physics is lacking and therefore, my understanding of exotic theories of dark matter is also lacking.  I need to hunt down a reliable source for the rest mass of the electron neutrino and of the probability of neutrino oscillation.  I have recently found sources which claim magnetism effects galactic rotation curves.  I wish to investigate this further, however, I need help with the mathematics.

     Aaron-  I feel that I have collected a reliable and adequately large base of material from which to draw upon for the exposition of the cosmological portion of this project.  I have yet to make it through my most significant source, Aristotle's Physics. After finishing this text, I feel I will be ready to write a preliminary draft on the Greek view of invisible forces I have been studying.  In collaboration with Ethan's research on the modern day understanding of dark matter, I feel that a contrast of the two viewpoints is well within my grasp.  From here, the development of the web site will follow.

Goals:

     By the end of the quarter we would like to understand baryonic, exotic, and magnetic theories of dark matter.  We would like to distinguish which of these theories is most legitimate.  We would like to understand the relationship of dark matter to the large-scale structure and fate of the universe.  We hope to use this class as a gateway to further studies in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences.

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