Astrophysics researchers from Princeton University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have presented potential evidence of a collision between particles of dark matter. The study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, was conducted by Carlos Blanco and Rebecca Lin, who studied Jupiter at night to minimize the impact of polar radiance.
Dark matter, a concept proposed in the 1930s, remains one of the primary mysteries of physics. Though not directly observed, most scientists believe it makes up around 70% – 80% of the total matter in the universe. Dark matter’s existence helps explain the peculiar gravitational effects seen in the movements of galaxies and stars.
Researchers suggest that detecting dark matter indirectly is possible by observing the heat or light emitted during the collisions and annihilation of dark matter particles. In their recent study, potential indicators of such events were discovered – light in the upper layers of Jupiter’s dark side atmosphere.
Scientists theorize that dark matter particles are drawn toward Jupiter due to its strong gravity and interact with the planet’s ionosphere. These interactions may result in the emission of light, according to the researchers.
To test their hypothesis, scientists examined data gathered by the visualization and infrared mapping spectrometer of the Cassini probe over a three-hour period. They specifically selected the night side of Jupiter in its equatorial region to minimize the influence of Jupiter’s own radiance.
In their analysis of the data, researchers looked for evidence of H3+ ions, which are believed to form during collisions involving dark matter particles. While they did detect H3+ ions, it is yet to be determined if their quantity could have been caused by other factors. Therefore, further research is planned to investigate whether these ions were indeed produced as a result of dark matter collisions.
These findings represent a significant advancement in comprehending the nature of dark matter and its interactions with visible matter. Ongoing research in this field is crucial, and scientists are optimistic that continued observations and data analysis will validate their hypotheses and potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries.