Scientists are suggesting that neutron stars could act as traps for dark matter, preventing them from cooling to extremely low temperatures as they annihilate. Theoretical physicist Nicole Bell from the University of Melbourne believes that studying the annihilation of dark matter in neutron stars could provide insights into this mysterious substance, which makes up about 85% of all matter in the Universe.
Dark matter, which does not interact with ordinary light and matter, can be captured by the gravitational pull of neutron stars, which are known for having the highest density in the Universe. These stars, formed from the collapse of supernovae, have the ability to accumulate dark matter which then leads to its self-use and annihilation.
Bell suggests that while the annihilation of dark matter in neutron stars may have been more common in the early universe, it is now rare in the modern era, except in places with a high concentration of dark matter. This finding highlights neutron stars as ideal environments for studying processes that are challenging to detect under normal conditions on Earth.
In order to confirm this theory, scientists need to measure the temperature of neutron stars. If the temperatures are higher than expected, it could indicate ongoing processes of dark matter annihilation within the stars. The James Webb cosmic telescope, which can detect radiation in the near infrared range, could be used to observe these “cold” neutron stars.
Bell and her colleagues, whose findings have not yet undergone review but are available on the archive of preliminary scientific articles arxiv, are hopeful that their research will shed light on the evolution of neutron stars and potentially lead to new methods for detecting dark matter through astronomical observations.