Milky Way Gamma Rays May Reveal First Direct Evidence of Dark Matter
A University of Tokyo astrophysicist claims to have found potential first evidence for dark matter emanating from the heart of our own galaxy. Professor Tomonori Totani’s analysis of gamma rays from the Milky Way’s center reveals signals that closely match theoretical predictions for this elusive cosmic substance.
Key Findings
- Gamma rays from Milky Way’s center show dark matter signature
- Signals match predicted radiation from dark matter particles
- Discovery could provide first direct evidence of mysterious substance
Dark matter, the invisible cosmic web believed to hold galaxies together, has remained theoretical since Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky first proposed its existence in the 1930s. Despite comprising most of the universe’s mass, it has never been directly observed because it neither emits nor absorbs light.
“This could be a crucial breakthrough in unravelling the nature of dark matter,” said Professor Tomonori Totani.
WIMP Particles and Gamma Ray Signals
The research, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, builds on the theory that dark matter consists of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). These particles are heavier than protons but rarely interact with normal matter. When two WIMPs collide, they annihilate each other, producing gamma-ray bursts.
Totani analyzed data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which detects the highest-energy light in the electromagnetic spectrum. The gamma-ray pattern precisely matched the spherical dark matter halo predicted to surround our galaxy’s center.
Corroborating Evidence and Future Research
Professor Totani emphasized that more research is needed to confirm these findings. Detection of similar gamma-ray spectra from dwarf galaxies and other cosmic regions would strengthen the case. This discovery echoes earlier work from Johns Hopkins University and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, who made similar claims about dark matter at the Milky Way’s center.
Professor Joseph Silk, co-author of the Physical Review Letters study, noted: “Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together. Gamma rays, and specifically the excess light we’re observing at the centre of our galaxy, could be our first clue,” he added.
