And now we have dark flow . . .

Anyone who reads about astrophysics regularly is probably somewhat aware of the terms of “dark matter” and “dark energy” which are used to describe universal conditions that, while creating some observable behavior (ie. predicted mass of galaxies and the speed of the universe’s expansion, respectively), thus far baffle scientists as to “what” is actually causing these effects.  Only recently have advances in astrophysics allowed some degree of observation of dark matter.  Dark energy on the other hand continues to remain very elusive.  Now to add to the two frustratingly unknowable forces we get “dark flow.”  According to this Discovery News article dark flow is a very fast shift of galaxies and stars towards a twenty degree region of space between the constelations Centaurus and Vela.  Like dark matter and dark energy scientists are currently at a loss as to what is causing this dark flow though theories (something about a twin universe just outside the observable region of our own universe) are being thrown around.

Personally I am not against the idea of things like dark matter, dark energy, and dark flow but I find them in many ways comparable to other, now long outdated, explanations in physics.  I speak specifically of the concept of ether (or aether depending on spelling preference). Originally aether was one of the five classical elements (along with air, earth, fire, and water) but during the second half of the 19th Century it took on a different meaning.  It came to be used to explain how wave function could exist in the universe.  Essentially it suggested that there was some underlying medium in the universe through which vibrations could travel. In the long run the aether hypothesis was given up due in part to lack of any evidence of the elusive medium and further knocked down by Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.  My point is this, with current observation we are aware that a lot of things are happening in the universe and it is convenient to use terms like Dark Energy or Dark flow to describe the observable effects but the reality is that we know little to nothing about the causes.  As our study of the universe continues we may eventually devise theories or find evidence that does away with the need for any of the “dark” bits that we use right now.  It is the wonderful evolving nature of science.

Just something to consider.  And hey, it is pretty interesting that our whole universe seems to have some motion towards a certain chunk of space right?