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Have scientists glimpsed dark matter? “Like finding a present under the Christmas tree”

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • Researchers with the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment detected a light flash in 2023 that may represent a collision between an atom and a dark-matter particle.
  • The signal came from a seven-ton liquid-xenon detector located 1,480 meters underground in an abandoned South Dakota gold mine.
  • The event produced far more energy than expected, leaving scientists unsure whether it came from dark matter or another source.

A light flash recorded deep beneath an abandoned South Dakota gold mine may offer the first glimpse of dark matter. Scientists remain far from certain, but the possibility has already generated intense excitement.

The signal appeared on June 16, 2023, at 3:22 p.m. inside the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment, a seven-ton detector filled with liquid xenon. The apparatus sits 1,480 meters underground in the Black Hills, where the surrounding rock helps shield it from disturbances.

LUX-ZEPLIN is the world's largest detector of its kind. Its purpose is to identify the faint traces of dark matter, the invisible material scientists believe could account for about 85 percent of the universe. The theory emerged because the visible mass of galaxies cannot explain the way they rotate. Dark matter would consist of particles that emit no light but move throughout the universe.

I have been waiting, God, 40 years for a positive result. So count on me being very, very excited.

· Katherine FreeseThe University of Texas physicist expressed excitement over the possible dark-matter signal.

Researchers suspect the detector may have registered a collision between an atom and a hypothetical dark-matter particle known as a WIMP, or weakly interacting massive particle. Yet the event produced 248 kiloelectronvolts of energy, well above the 5 to 55 expected from particles moving at roughly 300 kilometers per second.

That mismatch means the signal could still have another explanation, such as a gamma ray or a different form of background noise. Katherine Freese of the University of Texas, one of the theoretical physicists involved, said she had waited decades for a positive result. "I have been waiting, God, 40 years for a positive result. So count on me being very, very excited."

Particle astrophysicist Tom Shutt said the team chose to publish the observation while examining what it might represent: "We just decided to publish the observation and think very, very, very hard about what it could be."

We just decided to publish the observation and think very, very, very hard about what it could be.

· Tom ShuttThe particle astrophysicist explained why the team released the uncertain observation.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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