According to new theoretical research, the Earth could be sailing through dark matter like through an ocean. Scientists suggest that waves of this invisible ocean, splashing against the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere, could generate radio waves. This could finally help find dark matter and confirm the conclusions of modern science.
Many astrophysical and cosmological pieces of evidence indicate the existence of dark matter: from the puzzling rotation curves of some galaxies to the growth of the largest structures in the Universe. Attempts to explain these various observations with alternative theories of gravity have failed, so the vast majority of astronomers believe that dark matter is some unknown form of substance that does not interact (or, as suggested, almost does not interact) with light or normal matter.
This is a global idea that covers many possibilities. Dark matter could consist of massive particles, but the search for such particles has mostly been futile. An alternative view is that dark matter, on the contrary, is extremely light, or consists of theoretical particles known as axions, or photons of exotic form, with small mass.
Millions of times lighter than regular matter, dark matter could behave very strangely. Specifically, instead of having the form of individual points or clusters, dark matter would behave more like large waves spreading throughout space.
In a paper published on the preprint server arXiv, physicists investigated models of super-light dark matter that would not be entirely dark, allowing it to occasionally interact with normal matter. Such interaction would produce a noticeable amount of radio waves.
Scientists believe that dark matter would interact with plasma (hot substance of ionized particles) that makes up the Earth's ionosphere. According to the theory, this would create radio waves that scientists hope to detect. These waves are barely noticeable, but with precise tuning of antennas to a specific frequency, they can be detected.
Researchers would find it relatively easy to work with the ionosphere. It naturally reflects many radio waves from deep space, making it relatively free of signal pollution. Additionally, the ionosphere is located directly above the Earth, easily accessible, and is already the subject of constant monitoring and study.
The study offers a small fragile chance to find dark matter. It will take years, if not decades, to refine the observation technique to search for the necessary radio waves. But the efforts seem worth it for the opportunity to explore one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe.
Source: Space.com
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