Dark Matter Deficient Dwarf Galaxy Identified in Fornax Cluster

Researchers have identified a candidate dark matter deficient dwarf galaxy, FCC 224, in the Fornax cluster. This discovery was made through the analysis of overluminous star clusters within the galaxy. The study, conducted by Aaron J. Romanowsky, Enrique Cabrera, and Steven R. Janssens, utilized data from the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS), along with archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging. The findings suggest that FCC 224 hosts a population of star clusters that are larger and more luminous than typical globular clusters. Further detailed follow-up studies of FCC 224 are currently in progress.

The identification of dark matter deficient galaxies is significant as it challenges existing theories about galaxy formation and the role of dark matter. Understanding these galaxies can provide insights into the distribution and behavior of dark matter in the universe, which is crucial for the development of cosmological models.

The study is titled "A candidate dark matter deficient dwarf galaxy in the Fornax cluster identified through overluminous star clusters" and is authored by Aaron J. Romanowsky, Enrique Cabrera, and Steven R. Janssens. The paper is available on arXiv with the identifier arXiv:2408.12663.