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A new hypothesis suggests that dark matter, one of the universe’s greatest mysteries, may have originated in a separate event known as a “Dark Big Bang.” The idea was initially proposed in 2023 by Katherine Freese, Director of the Texas Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, and Martin Wolfgang Winkler, University of Texas. The theory challenges the traditional understanding that all matter and energy were created simultaneously during the Big Bang. According to reports, researchers from Colgate University have expanded on this theory, proposing new scenarios for such an event and how evidence might be uncovered.

Exploring the Dark Big Bang Theory

In a study published in Physical Review D, researchers Cosmin Ilie, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and Richard Casey, Colgate University scientist, outlined the potential mechanisms of a Dark Big Bang. It has been suggested that this event may have occurred up to one year after the Big Bang, introducing dark matter into the cosmos. Ilie, speaking to Space.com, explained that their work highlights a broader range of possibilities than previously considered, making the theory more plausible.

The concept diverges from the prevailing notion that dark and ordinary matter share a common origin. While this idea adheres to Occam’s Razor — favouring the simplest explanation — Ilie pointed out that the universe does not necessarily align with human preferences for simplicity.

Hunting for Evidence

Detecting evidence of a Dark Big Bang could involve identifying gravitational waves, faint ripples in spacetime first predicted by Albert Einstein. According to Ilie, such waves might be observable through ongoing initiatives like the International Pulsar Timing Array and the Square Kilometre Array.

Casey stated to Space.com that the Dark Big Bang theory could also reveal a unique “Dark Sector” with its own particles and interactions, distinct from known physics. This approach might redefine how dark matter and ordinary matter relate, potentially bridging gaps in current scientific understanding.
The researchers emphasised that this work establishes a foundation for future exploration, aiming to confirm or constrain the Dark Big Bang’s role in the creation of dark matter.

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A Pyramid in the Amazon? The Mystery of Cerro El Cono in Peru’s Sierra del Divisor

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May 6, 2025

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A Pyramid in the Amazon? The Mystery of Cerro El Cono in Peru's Sierra del Divisor

The mysterious peak of Cerro El Cono, standing isolated in the Sierra del Divisor, a mountainous border between Peru and Brazil, has drawn attention of researchers for its mysterious pyramidal shape, emerging from the plain and protruding from the virgin lowland forest. In the Andes mountain range, the structure is visible from a distance of up to 250 miles (400 kilometers) on clear days. Because of its remote location, Cerro El Cono’s origins have remained a mystery. Some reports suggest that “The cone hill” may just be a peculiar rock structure, while others speculate that it may be an extinct volcano. 

Origin Theories

According to research featured in La República, the 1310-foot-tall Corro El Cono is a spiritual entity for the local tribes. It is respected as an Andean Apu, a secret mountain believed to hold protective powers for the people living in its vicinity.

Some researchers speculate it as an extinct volcano due to its distinct shape, but this hypothesis remains unconfirmed due to limited research and accessibility issues in this area.
Another explanation — one for which there is no evidence — is that Cerro El Cono sits on the ruins of a pyramid built by ancient Indigenous tribes.

Conservation challenges

The surrounding jungle of Cerro El Cono is a home to several vulnerable species, including giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus), jaguars (Panthera onca) and various types of monkeys, according to The Guardian. This makes it environmentally significant and it is considered a Biodiversity hotspot.

To combat threats of environmental degradation due to illegal logging, gold mining, and poaching, Sierra del Divisor National Park was created in 2015. But recent surveys show, this protected park has failed to deliver the promised threat removal.

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Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Peculiar Spiral Galaxy Arp 184 in Camelopardalis

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May 6, 2025

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Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Peculiar Spiral Galaxy Arp 184 in Camelopardalis

NASA/ESA Hubble space telescope has captured a beautiful yet skewed-shaped spiral galaxy that resides about 190 million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy, named Arp 184 or NGC 1961, is a part of the Camelopardalis or the Giraffe constellation. Its vivid and dazzling image reveals its asymmetric shape, and a single spiral arm stretched towards the viewer make it an interesting prospect for studies. The occurrence of multiple supernovae has drawn the attention of researchers to be a valuable target for research into galactic interactions and stellar explosions.

Cataloguing the galaxy

According to the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies compiled by astronomer Halton, Arp in 1966, the galaxy is named Arp 184. This catalogues about 338 galaxies that tend to be neither entirely spiral nor entirely elliptical-shaped. Dwarf galaxies without particular structures and the galaxies interacting with one another are also catalogued here. Arp 184 has a bright spot radiating light as the centre. A thick, stormy disc of material surrounds this, with swirling strands of dark dust and bright spots of star formation strewn through the disc.

A large spiral, star-speckled arm extends from the disc towards the viewer, for which it has earned a spot in this Atlas. The far side of Arp 184 does not have this impressive stretched arm, but it sports a few wisps of gas and stars on that side.

Hubble snapshot observing programs

The Hubble image showcases data from three Snapshot observing programs, one of which focused on Arp 184 for its unique appearance. The program surveyed galaxies listed in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies and A Catalogue of Southern Peculiar Galaxies and Associations. The other two programs examined the aftermath of astronomical events like supernovae and tidal disruption events. Arp 184, having hosted four known supernovae in the past three decades, is a prime target for a supernova hunt.

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NASA’s Don Pettit Returns to Earth with Russian Crewmates After ISS Science Mission

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May 6, 2025

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NASA’s Don Pettit Returns to Earth with Russian Crewmates After ISS Science Mission

The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft returned to Earth after a months-long mission on the International Space Station on April 19, 2025. Along with cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, the spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Don Pettit too. Undocked from the ISS, the spacecraft drifted away and began descending three hours later to land in Kazakhstan. Pettit’s time in orbit was marked by numerous scientific investigations focused on future space missions, including experiments on metal 3D printing, advanced water sanitation, plant biology, and fire behaviour in microgravity.

Back to Earth: Soyuz Returns Don Pettit and Crewmates After Scientific Mission in Orbit

As per the NASA mission summary, Pettit logged hundreds of hours on research projects aimed at enhancing long-duration spaceflight technologies. Agency updates state that the 3D printing experiments advanced additive manufacturing in weightless conditions, while the fire dynamics tests offered critical data for onboard safety measures. Research on water purification and sustainable plant growth will help support life support systems on future lunar and Martian habitats.

The Soyuz‘s successful return added another chapter to routine international crew rotation efforts between NASA and Roscosmos. The landing site in Kazakhstan remains a standard recovery zone, where helicopters and ground teams met the crew for medical checks and post-flight evaluations. Despite the early morning landing, visibility was clear, ensuring a smooth retrieval.

Pettit’s mission emphasised how the ISS remains a critical platform for microgravity research. His investigations contribute directly to ongoing goals for sustainable space exploration and planetary habitation, aligning with NASA’s Artemis and Mars-forward objectives.

With the Soyuz MS-26 crew safely home, the ISS programme continues with its next phase of operations, including further earth science, space technology testing, and international crew collaboration.

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