New Telescope Looks to the 'Violent' Universe

Scientists have turned on a new telescope in Arizona that they hope will help them find so-called 'dark matter.'

Dark matter is a term that refers to matter that does not emit enough radiation to be observed directly. Scientists say it makes up much of the observable universe, but its composition so far has been indeterminable.

It is said this material played a large part in the formation and evolution of galaxies and the movement of galaxies themselves.

However, the search for dark matter wouldn't be the only mission of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System. Scientists also plan to use the telescope for work in observing black holes, as well as further work surrounding the universe's creation.

VERITAS consists of an array of four large optical reflectors that detect high-energy gamma rays in the earth's atmosphere. Scientists say that this method will help them see objects that emit these rays throughout the universe, however at a level of precision unavailable to researchers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Gamma rays can be detectable in space from a number of sources, including interstellar gas, supernova explosions, high-speed collisions of matter, and black holes, among others. Scientists often call this the 'violent' universe, since production of these emissions comes from violent interstellar events.

The telescope will temporarily be located in the Coronado National Forest in Mt. Hopkins, Ariz. for the next two years. After that, the telescope will be moved to a permanent site, the Argonne National Laboratory said.

"It is expected that this instrument will allow for the detection of an increased number of gamma ray sources, possibly even the indirect detection of the mysterious dark matter in the universe," said Karen Byrum, Argonne physicist.