Diagram of H3+ production in Jupiter. Aurora H3+ emission near the magnetic poles is caused by precipitating electrons, and extreme UV radiation from the sun irradiates the day side and dominates H3+ production near the equator. No significant H3+ is expected at low latitudes on the nightside, making it an ideal DM signal area. Credit: Physical assessment letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.261002
A pair of astrophysicists from Princeton University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have found possible evidence of colliding dark matter particles. In their study, published in Physical assessment lettersCarlos Blanco and Rebecca Leane took night-time measurements of Jupiter’s equatorial region to minimize the influence of the aurora.
Since it was first proposed in the 1930s, dark matter has been at the forefront of physics research, even though it has not yet been directly detected. However, most in the field believe that it makes up about 70% to 80% of all matter in the universe. It is believed to exist because it is the only explanation for strange gravitational effects observed in the motion of galaxies and the movement of stars.
Researchers hypothesize that it might be possible to detect dark matter indirectly by identifying the heat or light emitted when dark matter particles collide and annihilate each other. In this new study, the researchers found what they think might be such a case: light in Jupiter’s dark outer atmosphere.
They suggest that dark matter particles are pulled toward Jupiter by the strong gravity and collide with the ionosphere. If they do, the researchers reason, there will likely be cases where they collide and produce light.
To confirm their theory, the researchers examined data recorded over a three-hour period by the Cassini probe’s Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer. Specifically, they looked at measurements of the nighttime planet above its equatorial region, which they believed would lessen the impact of Jupiter’s aurora.
They searched the data for evidence of more H3+ than could be explained in other ways, as theories suggest it could be produced by dark matter particles after a collision.
The researchers found H3+but it is still not clear whether the amounts they measured are larger than the amounts that could have been generated in other ways. So they plan to continue their work, hoping to find evidence that they were generated by dark matter collisions.
More information:
Carlos Blanco et al, Searching for dark matter ionization on the night side of Jupiter with Cassini, Physical assessment letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.261002
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Quote: Infrared glow high in Jupiter’s atmosphere may be colliding dark matter particles (2024, July 2) Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-infrared-high-jupiter-atmosphere-dark.html
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