Dark Matter Mystery: Astronomers Stumped by Massive Relic Galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a massive elliptical galaxy called NGC 1277 that appears to have little to no dark matter, challenging current cosmological models. Observations indicate that within the observed radius, the galaxy cannot have more than 5 percent of its mass as dark matter. Possible explanations include the gravitational interaction with the surrounding medium or the dark matter being driven out during the galaxy's formation. This discovery poses a problem for both the standard model of cosmology and alternative theories that seek to explain gravity without the need for dark matter.