Smooth secret of dark matter could put Einstein in a new light

The universe is slightly smoother than it should be. And in that smoothness may lie a problem for Einstein.

Scientists have produced the most detailed map yet of dark matter, the hidden material that clumps together to make up the bulk of the universe.

However, in common with other recent research, they have found that the matter is not clumped together as much as General Relativity says it should be.

So far, it is just a hint but, said Dr Niall Jeffrey, from University College London, “these hints are the same hints we’ve been seeing in other experiments”. He said: “If it is true that the universe around us is smoother than we expect, it means we have to rethink the way cosmology works.”

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