Hubble observes Cloud-9, a failed galaxy dominated by dark matter

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered Cloud-9, the first observed "failed galaxy" dominated by dark matter that never formed stars despite containing gas with one million solar masses. This spherical cloud, located near galaxy M94, contains roughly five billion solar masses of dark matter and represents a fundamental building block that never fully developed into a galaxy, offering scientists unprecedented insights into dark matter's role in cosmic structure formation.