The world’s largest cosmic ray detector has cast doubt on exotic physics theories surrounding a mysterious signal detected by the ANITA experiment two years ago. The study published in Physical Review Letters used the 3,000-square-kilometer Pierre Auger Observatory to analyze data from over 7.6 million cosmic rays between 2004 and 2018.
Researchers found no evidence to support the idea of exotic particles causing the anomalous radio signals detected by ANITA III during its seven-day flight in 2022. The Auger detector, which has been continuously operating for over two decades, was unable to detect even a single event consistent with the expected upward-traveling particles predicted by exotic theories.
The study’s results are significant because they severely constrain explanations involving exotic physics that would produce a steady stream of upward-traveling particles. While some dark matter-related theories remain as possibilities, the lack of follow-up observations with other detectors like IceCube limits the scope for alternative explanations.
“We’ve been able to rule out many of the exotic theories that were being considered,” said one researcher. “But we’re not saying there’s no more to be discovered in this area.”
The discovery highlights the importance of combining data from multiple detectors, as demonstrated by the complementary strengths of ANITA III and Auger Observatory. Scientists are now designing new detectors like PUEO, which will be larger and better at detecting neutrino signals, hoping to solve the mystery once and for all.
“We’re excited about the prospect of flying PUEO,” said another researcher. “With its improved sensitivity, we might actually understand what’s going on with these anomalies.”
Source: https://studyfinds.org/radio-signals-beneath-antarctica-theories-debunked