# We Live In Between Two HUGE Dark Matter Voids

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHAOsbzaat0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/BHAOsbzaat0
Generated: 2026-02-10T16:42:55.089+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Recent findings from a Nature Astronomy paper suggest that our local cosmic neighborhood is situated between two enormous voids in the dark matter distribution, which contradicts some predictions of the standard cosmological model (Lambda CDM) that imply we should be surrounded by numerous small dark matter halos, presenting a discrepancy that the paper rates as 2.5 to 3.3 sigma significant.

**Key Points:**
- A recent paper by Wempe et al. in Nature Astronomy (2026) suggests that the Milky Way sits between two large, nearly empty regions, or voids, in the dark matter distribution.
- The standard Lambda CDM model predicts that large galaxies like the Milky Way should be surrounded by hundreds of smaller dark matter halos, which observations contradict, creating the "Dwarf Galaxy Problem" and the related "Cuspy Halo Problem."
- The new simulations, which include normal matter, successfully reproduce the observed structure, showing a thin, pancake-shaped region around our Local Group surrounded by huge voids.
- The discrepancy between the standard model's prediction (many small halos) and the observed structure (large voids) is quantified as having a statistical significance between 2.5 and 3.3 sigma.
- The authors argue that the structure found in their simulation, which is consistent with observations, suggests that dark matter must follow the gravitational pull of the structure formed by early quantum fluctuations, which is different from the simple particle-based dark matter assumptions.
- The video features educational content from Brilliant.org, encouraging viewers to explore interactive lessons on topics like Scientific Thinking, Data Analysis, and Probability.

![Screenshot at 00:08: The video first displays a simulation image showing a narrow, dense horizontal structure \(the galactic plane/void boundary\) with large dark regions above and below, illustrating the dense region the Earth system sits within relative to the surrounding voids, as per the new research.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-00-08.jpg)

**Context:** The video discusses recent cosmological research challenging the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (Lambda CDM) model, specifically regarding the distribution of dark matter in the local universe. The traditional model predicts that large galaxies like the Milky Way should reside in dense environments filled with many smaller dark matter halos (subhalos), which is necessary to account for the observed number of dwarf galaxies. However, recent observations, supported by new simulations, suggest that the Milky Way is actually located in a less dense area defined by two massive dark matter voids, leading to problems like the 'Dwarf Galaxy Problem' and the 'Cuspy Halo Problem.'

## Detailed Analysis

Sabine Hossenfelder reports on a new paper by Wempe et al. in Nature Astronomy (2026) suggesting the universe is much weirder than previously thought, positioning the Local Group (including the Milky Way) between two large dark matter voids. This finding challenges the standard Lambda CDM model, which predicts that large galaxies should be enveloped by hundreds of smaller dark matter halos, a prediction that conflicts with observations (the Dwarf Galaxy Problem/Cuspy Halo Problem). The new simulations successfully model a structure where normal matter follows the gravitational pull of dark matter, resulting in a thin, pancake-like distribution surrounded by huge voids, instead of the expected dense clustering of small halos. The authors claim this structure matches observations, rating the disagreement with the standard model at 2.5 to 3.3 sigma significance, suggesting the nature of dark matter might be more complex, perhaps related to quantum gravity, rather than just being standard particles. The video concludes by promoting Brilliant.org courses covering science, math, and coding, which can help viewers build scientific understanding.

### Dark Matter Anomalies

- Dark Matter is weirder than expected
- We sit between two large voids
- This contradicts standard Lambda CDM predictions
- Discrepancy is 2.5-3.3 sigma

### New Simulation Results

- Simulations including normal matter predict a thin, pancake-shaped region around the Local Group surrounded by huge voids
- This structure matches observations better than standard models

### Implications

- The findings suggest dark matter might be linked to quantum gravity effects rather than simple particles
- It implies we might be in a peculiar location, not a typical environment

### Sponsor Integration

- Promotion for Brilliant.org courses in Math Foundations, Data Analysis, Programming & CS, and Science, offering a 30-day free trial and 20% off annual subscriptions

![Screenshot at 00:01: Title card: "SCIENCE NEWS WITH Sabine Hossenfelder" and the topic "Dark Matter is Weird"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:08: Simulation plot showing a dense central region \(p/p\_bar = 1\) aligned horizontally, surrounded by voids \(darker blue regions\), illustrating the pancake structure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-00-08.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:32: Pie chart illustrating the composition of the universe: Dark Energy \(71.4%\), Dark Matter \(24%\), and Normal Matter \(4.6%\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-00-32.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:27: Text overlay: '"Impossible" Galaxies Problem' shown over a field of distant galaxies, highlighting a known issue with dark matter models.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-01-27.jpg)
![Screenshot at 04:07: The speaker points to a gauge reading pointing strongly towards "BULLSHIT" \(1 out of 10\), rating the standard model's predictions against the new findings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BHAOsbzaat0/00-04-07.jpg)