Primordial Black Holes: New Study Reveals Potential Detection Through Mars' Orbital Deviations
September 27, 2024Dark matter, theorized in the 1930s, is invisible and constitutes about a quarter of the universe's mass, inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter.
Physicist Matt Caplan emphasized the importance of real data in confirming the presence of primordial black holes based on the study's simulations.
A new study explores the potential detection of primordial black holes (PBHs) through their gravitational effects on solar system bodies.
Simulations conducted by the research team indicate that a PBH passing near Mars could lead to a measurable deviation in its orbit of about one meter over several years.
The lead author, Tung Tran from MIT, initially calculated that a PBH passing near a person could potentially fling them six meters away.
To enhance the accuracy of their predictions, the researchers are collaborating with experts to simulate a larger number of solar system objects.
Advancements in telemetry now allow astronomers to detect such orbital wobbles by measuring distances between planets with high precision.
While traditionally thought to interact only through gravity, this study suggests that dark matter may experience additional forces.
The research focuses on ultralight bosons, a hypothesized form of dark matter that interacts weakly with matter and light, potentially forming detectable cloud-like structures.
The study proposes using gravitational wave detectors like LIGO to search for scalar field dark matter, taking into account its effects on the LIGO interferometer.
The findings of this research were published in the journal Physical Review D on September 17.
Regardless of whether evidence of these black holes is found, the research will enhance understanding of dark matter and guide future investigations.
Summary based on 18 sources
Get a daily email with more Science stories
Sources
Los Angeles Times • Sep 17, 2024
Are tiny black holes zipping through the solar system? - Los Angeles TimesFox News • Sep 24, 2024
Dark matter may be behind wobble in Mars’ orbit, study suggestsGizmodo • Sep 23, 2024
Dark Matter Could Be Hiding in Gravitational Wave DataGizmodo • Sep 24, 2024
Tiny Primordial Black Holes Could Explain Dark Matter