A new proposal suggests that objects powered by dark matter could be small, detectable sources of light near the center of the galaxy. Researchers believe that finding these “dark dwarfs” could be key to understanding the nature of dark matter. According to Dr. Jeremy Sakstein, a University of Hawaii researcher, dark matter interacts gravitationally with stars and accumulates inside them.
The presence of dark matter is revealed by the movements of stars and galaxies, which show forces far too large to be explained by visible matter. One theory, WIMPS (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), proposes that dark matter consists of particles with weak interactions with ordinary matter, making it difficult to detect. However, if WIMPS make up a significant proportion of dark matter, they would concentrate near the galaxy’s center.
Sakstein and his team suggest that dark dwarfs could be identified by their unique behavior: heating up stars through dark matter annihilation, releasing energy that heats the star and makes it appear brighter. They propose using lithium-7 as a marker, which would only be present in the heaviest dark dwarfs. The detection of lithium-7 near the galactic center could indicate the presence of WIMPS.
The study proposes two methods for detecting lithium-7: individual object detection by the James Webb Space Telescope and statistical tests using other telescopes. While finding a dark dwarf would not be easy, it could dramatically narrow down the search for dark matter.
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/proposed-dark-dwarfs-near-the-galactic-center-could-reveal-the-nature-of-dark-matter-79891