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Illustration of concentrated dark matter in the heart of a spiral galaxy. | Credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva)
Strange events observed in the heart of the Milky Way could be smoking weapons, evidence of a new suspect in dark matter. If this is the case, scientists may have missed the subtle impact of dark matter, the most faithful “things” of the universe on cosmic chemistry.
This recently proposed candidate for dark matter would not only be lighter than existing hypothetical suspects, but would also be self-destructive. This means that when two particles of dark matter meet, they are destroyed by each other and create a negatively charged electron and its positively charged equivalent, positron.
This process and a flood of electrons and positrons would provide the energy needed to remove electrons from neutral atoms, a process called ionization, in a thick gas in the center of the Milky Way. This could explain why there is so much ionized gas in the central region called the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ).
Even if the destruction of dark matter is rare, it is reasonable that it will occur more often in the heart of galaxies, where it is thought to be a conglomerate.
“We suggest that dark matter is lighter than proton [the particles found in the nuclei of atoms] It can be responsible for the unusual effect observed in the center of the Milky Way, “did the team leader and doctoral research at King’s College London Shyam Balaji in front of Space.com.” Unlike most dark matter candidates, which are often studied through their gravitational effects, this form of dark matter can be revealed by ionizing gas, essentially residing atoms in CMZ.
“This will happen if the particles of dark matter are destroyed in pairs of electron-positive, which then interact with the surrounding gas.”
The chemistry of dark matter
It is believed that dark matter represents about 85% of “things” in space, but despite their ubiquity, scientists cannot “see” it, as they do very ordinary matter. This is because dark matter does not interact with light, or if it does, it makes it too weak and too rare to observe.
This tells scientists that dark matter cannot be made up of barion particles such as electrons, protons and neutrons that make up atoms that form stars, planets, moons and everything we see around us on a daily basis.
The only reason for scientists to theoretize that there is dark matter at all because it interacts with gravity and this influence affects light and “ordinary” matter.
The diagram shows the ratio of dark matter to the “everyday” matter that composes stars, planets and even cats (probably). | Credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva)
This prompted scientists to look beyond the so -called “standard particle physics model” to look for particles that could possibly take into account dark matter.
These particles vary in the table given in the power lines (EV) and in the characteristics. Some, such as this new suspect, are offered to be able to be self -self -seeking.
The current “leading suspects” for dark matter are axes and axon particles, which are available in a wide range of tables. However, Balagi and his colleagues have mainly excluded axion-like axes and particles, since their culprits for dark matter are related to the ionization of gas in CMZ.
“Most Axion models do not predict significant destruction in pairs of electron-positive pairs the way it makes our proposed dark matter,” Balaji said. “Our proposed dark matter is SUB-GEV (one billion EV) in a mass and self-natives in electrons and positrons.”
“This distinguishes it because it directly affects the interstellar environment, creating a signature in the form of additional ionization, something that is not usually expected.”
Dark Matter: This is the oldest enemy
In the densely packed CMZ, created positrons cannot travel far or escape before interacting with nearby hydrogen molecules, taking away their electrons. This makes this process particularly effective in this central region.
“The biggest problem this model helps to solve is the excess ionization in CMZ,” Balaji said. “The cosmic rays, the usual culprits for ionizing gas, do not seem to be strong enough to explain the high levels of ionization we see.”
The cosmic rays are charged particles that travel near the speed of light, but according to this team, the ionization signal from CMZ seems to show a more slow moving source, which is easier than many other candidates for dark matter.
In addition, if the cosmic rays were ionizing gas in CMZ, there must be a related emission of gamma rays that are very high -energy particles of light. However, this issue is missing from CMZ studies.
“If the dark matter is responsible for the ionization of CMZ, it would mean that we find dark matter not by seeing it, but by observing its subtle chemical impact on gas in our galaxy,” Balaji said.
However, there is an inexplicable weak gamma-beam gloss from the galactic center, which can also be associated with positrons and ionization.
“If we find a direct link between ionization and this gamma ray issue, it can strengthen the case of dark matter,” Balaji said. “There is some connection between these two signals, but at this stage we still need more data to say something stronger.”
Galactic nuclei, such as the center of the Milky Way seen in this photo, are full of gas and debris, which makes it very difficult to obtain direct images of the stars or black holes there. | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, CC by-Nc
In addition, this model of destruction of dark matter may also explain the radiation of light from a signature from CMZ, arising from positively charged positrons and negatively charged electrons, which break together and combine into a condition called positronium, which then breaks down quickly into X-rays, light with slightly less energy from the gamma.
“The numbers fit much better than we expected. Often, explanations of dark matter are facing problems because they predict signals that should already be seen by telescopes,” Balaji said. “But in this case, the degree of ionization produced by the sub-GEV Dark Matter fits perfectly into known restrictions without contrary to existing gamma-rays and space microwave (CMB).”
The researcher added that the pre -fusion with X -ray emissions is also very intriguing.
“It’s a rare and exciting situation in Dark Matter’s research,” Balaji added.
Early days are for this dark matter suspected
Of course, this new candidate for dark matter is at the very beginning of his theoretical life; There is not even a brilliant name like WIMP (slightly interacting massive particle) or Macho (a massive compact halo object)!
For comparison, the osions have existed since they were theorized by theoretical physicists Frank Wilchek and Stephen Weinberg in 1978.
This means that there is a lot of theorization that must be done before this candidate takes its place among wasps, strands, macho, primary black holes, and the rest in the suspect line of dark matter.
“We need more precise ionization measurements in CMZ; if we can map more accurately ionization, we can see if the expected distribution of dark matter follows,” Balaji said. “If we exclude other potential sources of ionization, the hypothesis of dark matter becomes more captivating.”
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Additional evidence of a connection between the destruction of dark matter and the strange CMZ emissions can be delivered from the upcoming Cosi (Compton Spectrometer and Image Space Telecope of NASA, which will start in 2027.
Cosi must provide better data on the astrophysical processes of MEV (1 million EV) that could help confirm or exclude this explanation of dark matter.
Whatever the case, this study has given a new way to look at the influence of dark matter.
“Dark Matter remains one of the largest mysteries in physics, and this work shows that we may have neglected its subtle chemical effects on space,” Balaji concluded. “If this theory applies, it can open a whole new way to study dark matter, not only through its gravity, but also through the way it shapes the very tissue of our galaxy.”
The team studies were published on Monday (March 10) at the Physical Review Letters magazine.