Produced by: Manoj Kumar
The mystery of dark matter could be solved in just 10 seconds during a nearby supernova, UC Berkeley researchers predict.
Astrophysicists propose detecting axions, hypothetical particles that may explain dark matter, in the gamma-ray bursts of collapsing stars.
Benjamin Safdi warns, “It would be a shame if a supernova went off tomorrow and we missed the chance to detect axions.”
The GALAXIS project proposes a global gamma-ray satellite system to monitor the entire sky for axion signals during stellar explosions.
In strong magnetic fields, axions could decay into photons, creating detectable bursts of gamma rays near neutron stars.
Axions could solve the strong CP problem, unlock string theory insights, and explain the matter-antimatter imbalance.
New simulations suggest the best time to detect axions is during the first 10 seconds of a supernova.
The Fermi Telescope currently monitors for gamma rays but has only a 1 in 10 chance of catching the next supernova.
The study, published in Physical Review Letters, outlines a strategy to finally confirm or rule out axions’ existence.