New dark matter theory explains two puzzles in astrophysics

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A new dark matter theory called “self-interacting dark matter” (SIDM) may explain two puzzles in astrophysics: 

  • The nature of dark matter 
  • The large-scale structure of the universe 

Dark matter is invisible and cannot be seen directly. It’s made up of exotic particles that don’t interact with normal matter or light, but still exert a gravitational pull. Dark matter makes up about 27% of the universe, while visible matter only makes up about 5%. 

The SIDM theory proposes that dark matter particles interact with each other through a dark force. They collide strongly with one another near the center of a galaxy. 

The theory may also explain why dark matter halos of ultra-diffuse galaxies have very low densities. A dark matter halo is the invisible matter that surrounds a galaxy or cluster of galaxies

Thought to make up 85% of matter in the universe, dark matter is nonluminous and its nature is not well understood. While normal matter absorbs, reflects, and emits light, dark matter cannot be seen directly, making it harder to detect

Dark matter detectors are large, sensitive systems that are placed deep underground. They are designed to detect dark matter particles that may pass through Earth

Some materials used for dark matter detection include: Semiconductors, Superconductors, Liquid xenon, Polar detectors. 

Some methods for detecting dark matter include: 

  • Direct detection 
  • Indirect detection 
  • Measuring solar neutrinos 
  • Detecting signatures in cosmic rays and gamma rays 

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) detector is the world’s largest dark matter detector. It is designed to search for a type of dark matter called weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs)

Here are some predictions about dark matter: 

  • Black hole mergers: A new model of dark matter predicts more frequent black hole mergers in the early universe. 
  • Light elements: Lighter dark matter could cause the universe to expand too quickly for light elements to form. 
  • Dark matter decay: Dark matter could decay into normal matter, antimatter, and/or radiation in the far future. 
  • Dark matter density: Dark matter density is decreasing as the universe expands. 
  • Dark matter growth: Dark matter could have grown exponentially in the early universe. 

Dark matter is thought to be made up of exotic particles that don’t interact with light or normal matter, but do have a gravitational pull.

A dark matter halo is a hypothetical region of invisible matter that surrounds galaxies, groups of galaxies, and clusters of galaxies

Dark matter halos are inferred to exist based on the motions of visible matter and the amount of matter contained within a certain volume. Dark matter makes up 85% of the universe’s matter. 

Dark matter halos form through gravitational instability. Density perturbations grow linearly until they reach a critical density, then they collapse to form virialized dark matter halos. 

In 2006, a team of scientists modeled the process by which dark matter “clouds” are attracted to form the Milky Way’s dark halo.

Dark matter is invisible because it doesn’t emit or absorb light. However, we know it exists because it affects the movement of stars and galaxies. Dark matter interacts with matter through gravity

Dark matter cores are lower, more smoothed concentrations of dark matter. Numerical simulations predict that dark matter haloes have steep, “cuspy” density profiles, but observations favor shallower “cores”. 

One scenario for dark matter cores is that some dark matter interacts with itself and stays behind when galaxy clusters collide

Dark matter is thought to be made up of an undiscovered elementary particle. Some possibilities include: 

  • WIMPs: Weakly interacting massive particles that are 10–1,000 times heavier than a proton. 
  • Axions: Particles that are 10 trillionths the mass of an electron. 

Dark matter could also be made up of standard baryonic matter, like protons and neutrons. 

Dark matter has an equation of state known as “dust”. Dust is a state of matter with mass density but no pressure. This means that gravity can cause dark matter to collapse under its own gravity.

Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) is a theory that explains two puzzles in astrophysics: 

  • Dark matter halos in massive elliptical galaxies: The high density of dark matter halos in these galaxies is observed through gravitational lensing. 
  • Ultra-diffuse galaxies: The low-density halos surrounding these galaxies. 

SIDM proposes that dark matter particles collide with each other near the center of a galaxy. To demonstrate that SIDM can explain these puzzles, researchers conducted high-resolution simulations of cosmic structure formation. 

SIDM can explain both small and large scale observations. It is considered a compelling candidate to reconcile the two opposite extremes.(full article source google)

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