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A landmark study led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) has pinpointed the Universe’s “missing” matter using Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)— brief, bright radio signals from distant galaxies— as a guide. This artist’s conception depicts a bright pulse of radio waves (the FRB) on its journey through the fog between galaxies, known as the intergalactic medium. Long wavelengths, shown in red, are slowed down compared to shorter, bluer wavelengths, allowing astronomers to “weigh” the otherwise invisible ordinary matter.  
Credit: Melissa Weiss/CfA

In a new study led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) scientists have used Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)— brief, bright radio signals from distant galaxies— to pinpoint the location of the Universe’s “missing” matter in the space between galaxies. This artist’s conception depicts this ordinary matter in the warm, thin gas in this space— called the intergalactic medium (IGM)— which has been difficult for scientists to directly observe until now. Different colors of light travel at different speeds through space. Here, the artist has used blue to highlight denser regions of the cosmic web, transitioning to redder light for void areas.
Credit: Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA