Short Wave
Short Wave
NPR
A failed galaxy could solve the dark matter mystery
12 minutes Posted Jan 21, 2026 at 8:00 am.
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Cloud 9 is a failed galaxy. It’s a clump of dark matter, called a dark matter halo, that never formed stars. But this failure could be the key to a mystery almost as old as the universe itself: dark matter. Scientists don’t know what dark matter is, but Cloud 9 could offer new clues. Three researchers weigh in on this new discovery and why it could be a missing piece to the story on how the universe formed.


Check out our episode with astrophysicist Jorge Moreno on the mysterious Great Attractor and our summer series on space


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