Chile: A team of scientists has made a significant breakthrough in the search for dark matter. The team utilized a new spectrography technique and the Magellan Clay Telescope in Chile to observe light from two galaxies, Leo V and Tucana II. This research was led by Associate Professor Wen Yin of Tokyo Metropolitan University. The scientists focused particularly on the infrared spectrum during their observations.
A Major Step for Cosmologists
In just four hours of observation, researchers were able to detect information about dark matter through infrared light and determine how long it may last. Their findings have been published in the journal “Physical Review Letters.” The study highlights that the new technique has enhanced the ability to explore regions of the universe that were previously less studied. This research is a major step forward for cosmologists, who have long been trying to understand the anomalies present in the universe.
Discovery of an Axion-Like Particle
During their study, researchers observed a specific particle, the axion-like particle (ALP), which could be a potential candidate for dark matter. They analyzed how this particle “decays” and emits light during the process. Scientists believe that detecting this emission in infrared light is easier, though it remains a challenging task.
Understanding the Uniqueness of Dark Matter
Previously, scientists developed a new method of analysis. They observed that the ambient light around us contains multiple colors. However, when an object breaks down, the emitted light consists of a single dominant color. This phenomenon is similar to how light passing through a prism spreads into different colors. If the emitted light remains uniform, it appears much brighter and clearer.
Due to the high precision of this technique, the team statistically analyzed all near-infrared light detected. They noted that the intensity of light did not diminish, allowing them to determine how quickly the ALP particle might vanish. Their calculations suggest that its lower limit is in the range of 10 followed by 25 to 26 zeros in seconds—significantly exceeding the age of the universe by a hundred million times.
This breakthrough in dark matter research opens new avenues for future exploration and brings scientists one step closer to solving the mysteries of the universe.
