Dark matter is one of cosmology's biggest mysteries. Now, a new study suggests that it could reside within a dark mirror universe where atom formation failed.
What Is Dark Matter?
Dark matter is an unknown and mysterious substance that takes up most of the universe's mass. For every kilogram of regular matter, there is around five kilograms of dark matter.
This type of matter does not have interactions with light as well as normal matter. It does not emit any energy or light, making it invisible to conventional detectors and sensors. It can only be detected by scientists through gravitational influence on normal matter.
There have been various claims and theories suggested to explain the mystery of dark matter. These theories note that dark matter may have come from a second Big Bang, that it may be hiding within another dimension, or that it does not even exist.
Now, another claim has been added to the list as a new study, which is yet to be peer reviewed, proposes that dark matter could lie within a deformed mirror universe where atom formation failed.
Dark Matter in a Deformed Mirror Universe
The exotic claim was noted in a study that is still on a preprint server. According to Paul Suitter, an astrophysicist from Flatiron Institute and an indefatigable science journalist, the research is based on a duo of odd coincidences.
For one, observations posit that the amount of dark and regular matter out there is roughly comparable. This is slightly tipped towards dark matter, which is thought to outweigh regular matter by roughly a factor of five. Secondly, protons and neutrons nearly have the exact same mass, which enables stable atoms to form. Otherwise, the universe will be unable to host the atoms that make up the planets, stars, and more.
The researchers suggest that for each physical interaction with normal matter, there could be a mirror of it within the deformed mirror universe. This could imply a different kind of symmetry that connects the worlds of both regular and dark matter.
With this, the theory posits that there could be a shadow universe where protons and neutrons do not have the convenient mass symmetry. This means that the subatomic particles may not have much interaction. This could explain why dark matter does not clump up that much and why both dark matter and regular matter are relatively the same in abundance.
The researchers note that though the proposed mirror model welcomes the possibility of dark matter particles having rich interactions, these interactions must not be excessive. If dark matter ends up having frequent interactions, it may end up clumping more than scientists believe. Hence, most dark matter must be quite simple. Further interactions could allow scientists to put this theory to the test.
It is crucial to note, however, that the paper has not yet been peer reviewed and that it serves as an addition to the many theories regarding dark matter mysteries.
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