Astronomers have lost space in the near ultraviolet

Scientists from the U.S., Italy and South Africa by computer simulation found a deficit of ultraviolet radiation in the surrounding regions of the cosmos. Results of the study authors published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, and briefly with them can be found at the Carnegie Institution.

Lack of UV astronomers discovered the scale of the nearby space, where there are relatively well-studied galaxies, including the Milky Way. On a global scale (in the early universe), at distances of several billion light-years from Earth, this lack of scientists have found.

By its conclusions the researchers came to the simulation of large-scale structure of the universe using modern supercomputers: astronomers compared the results of their simulation data obtained from space telescope "Hubble". Inconsistency in the local balance of ultraviolet radiation, detected by comparing the results of observations with the "Hubble" and the computer experiment, reaches 400 percent.

Scientists have put forward several hypotheses about the reasons for this discrepancy. For example, suggest that the presence of exotic sources of radiation consisting of dark matter.

Cosmic radiation in the ultraviolet range necessary for ionization of hydrogen in the early universe. Ultraviolet radiation in the universe is produced by two main sources: quasars and young stars. However such objects is not enough to eliminate the deficiency of the ultraviolet radiation.

In addition, the researchers do not exclude possible errors in the modeling: probably not scientists took into account all radiation from galaxies and stars. If the results of computer simulations are correct, the scientists have a new question about the possible causes of lack of ultraviolet radiation in the Universe (local scale).