The study suggests that dark matter may interact with ordinary matter

A recent study has provided intriguing evidence that dark matter — the mysterious substance that makes up much of the universe’s mass — could interact with ordinary matter in more ways than previously thought.

For decades, dark matter was thought to exert its influence exclusively through gravity, shaping the structure of galaxies and the universe as a whole. However, this new research challenges conventional understanding, suggesting the possibility of hidden, previously undetected interactions between dark matter and ordinary matter, opening new possibilities for understanding one of the most elusive components of the universe.

The elusive nature of dark matter

Dark matter It has long been a mystery to astrophysicists. Unlike ordinary matter, which interacts with light via electromagnetic forces, dark matter does not emit, absorb or scatter light. This fundamental difference is why it remains invisible to direct observation and can only be detected through gravitational effects. For example, Gravitational lensThe bending of light caused by the gravity of dark matter has allowed scientists to map the existence of dark matter indirectly, by observing how light from distant galaxies is distorted as it passes through regions dense with dark matter.

This lack of interaction with light has been fundamental to our understanding Dark matter. Unlike molecular clouds in our galaxy, which can block and absorb light, dark matter is truly invisible, and provides no direct observational evidence. All of our current models are built on this assumptionDark matter interacts with the universe only through gravity. But this view has been called into question by recent findings. The study published in Astrophysical Journal LettersIt points to the possibility that dark matter may interact with ordinary matter in ways beyond the force of gravity. This discovery could radically reshape our understanding of the structure of the universe and the behavior of dark matter itself.

Insights from ultra-faint dwarf galaxies

The main evidence for this possible interaction between dark matter and ordinary matter comes from closer examination Ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs). These are small galaxies, which are companions to satellites milky wayconsisting largely of dark matter, with very few stars compared to its total mass. The relative simplicity of these galaxies makes them an ideal testing ground for studying dark matter, as their dynamics are not overly complicated by the presence of large amounts of ordinary matter such as gas and stars.

The researchers focused on six of these ultra-faint dwarf galaxies and studied the distribution of stars within them. Under the traditional assumption that dark matter only interacts with ordinary matter via gravity, the distribution of stars should follow a predictable pattern. Specifically, stars will be denser near the galactic center, where dark matter is also more concentrated, and more diffused toward the outer regions. However, using advanced Computer simulationThe team tested a model that posits that dark matter can also interact with ordinary matter in ways that go beyond gravity. In this scenario, the distribution of stars would be more uniform throughout the galaxy, rather than showing the expected central concentration.

The results of these simulations show that the distribution of stars in these ultra-faint dwarf galaxies more closely matches a model that includes little interaction between dark matter and ordinary matter. Although the difference was slight, it was large enough to indicate that dark matter may not be as “invisible” as previously thought. Instead, it could affect ordinary matter in ways that our current models do not take into account.

What this means for dark matter research

These results represent a major departure from the traditional understanding of dark matter. For decades, dark matter has been modeled as… “No collision”That is, it does not interact with itself or with ordinary matter except through gravitational forces. The idea that dark matter might have some other form of interaction, however slight, challenges this old paradigm and suggests that our models of the universe may need revision. If dark matter is indeed capable of affecting ordinary matter in ways beyond gravity, it opens up a new world of possibilities for discovery and study.

One of the most exciting implications of this discovery is the possibility of finding new direct methods Dark matter detection. Until now, dark matter has remained hidden, and can only be detected through indirect effects such as gravitational lensing. But if it turns out that dark matter can interact with ordinary matter, even in a subtle way, this could allow scientists to develop new techniques to observe it. For example, this interaction could lead to noticeable effects on the behavior of galaxies or stars that we do not fully understand or recognize as evidence of dark matter.

Moreover, these findings could have profound implications for our broader understanding of the universe. It is believed that dark matter forms ca 85% of the total mass of the universeYet its properties remain one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics. By detecting new forms of interaction between dark matter and ordinary matter, scientists may be able to better understand the formation and evolution of galaxies, the large-scale structure of the universe, and the role dark matter plays in these processes.

Moving towards a new understanding of dark matter

While the evidence for a new form of interaction between dark matter and ordinary matter is still in its early stages, its implications are far-reaching. If future research confirms these findings, it could lead to a major revision of the system Standard Model of Cosmologywhich was based on the assumption that dark matter is completely collisionless. This new perspective will not only reshape our theoretical understanding of dark matter, but will also guide future experimental efforts to detect it.

The next steps in this research will likely include more detailed observations of ultra-faint dwarf galaxies and other dark matter-dominated systems. Scientists will need to improve their models and simulations to better understand the nature of this interaction and how it might play out in other parts of the universe. Additionally, ongoing experiments designed to detect dark matter particles directly, such as those performed in underground laboratories or through particle accelerators, may need to incorporate these new findings into their research strategies.

Ultimately, the study represents an important step towards solving the mystery of dark matter. While it remains one of the most elusive components of the universe, such discoveries bring us closer to unlocking its secrets. If dark matter is indeed capable of interacting with regular matter in previously unrecognized ways, it may not be quite so “dark” after all. This achievement offers a glimmer of light in our quest to understand the hidden forces shaping the universe.