Cloud-9: Hubble identifies a starless dark matter cloud near Messier 94.

The Hubble Space Telescope team has identified Cloud‑9, a starless, hydrogen‑rich dark matter cloud near the spiral galaxy Messier 94. Researchers describe it as a Reionisation‑Limited H I Cloud (RELHIC) and report the finding in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The Hubble Space Telescope team reports the identification of an object called Cloud‑9, described as a starless, gas‑rich dark matter cloud near the galaxy Messier 94. Researchers say the object fits the expected properties of a Reionisation‑Limited H I Cloud, a primordial neutral hydrogen structure that did not form stars. The result was presented at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society and published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Team members noted the object offers a rare observational example of a dark‑matter‑dominated cloud. Key details: - The discovery was made using NASA/ESA Hubble observations and is referred to as Cloud‑9. - Scientists classify the object as a Reionisation‑Limited H I Cloud (RELHIC), indicating neutral hydrogen and a lack of stars. - Cloud‑9 is located on the fringes of the nearby spiral galaxy Messier 94 and was named as the ninth gas cloud identified in that region. - Researchers involved described it as a relic from the era of early galaxy formation and said its starless nature supports theoretical expectations about such objects. - The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and were announced at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Summary: The observation provides empirical evidence for a class of dark‑matter‑dominated, starless hydrogen clouds that had been predicted by theory and offers new material for studies of early galaxy formation. Undetermined at this time.