Scientists Say Dark Matter Might Flip Failed Stars Into ‘Dark Dwarfs’

Astronomers now suggest that “failed stars” often known as brown dwarfs could possibly be powered by darkish matter. Dark matter makes up about 85 % of the universe’s matter however doesn’t shine; it interacts solely through gravity. Brown dwarfs type like stars however lack sufficient mass to ignite fusion. The principle suggests brown dwarfs in galaxy facilities would possibly lure darkish matter of their interiors. When that darkish matter annihilates, it releases power that heats the star, turning the dwarf right into a brighter “dark dwarf.” If such objects exist, discovering them would give scientists a brand new clue to the character of darkish matter.

Dark Matter in Failed Stars

According to the brand new mannequin, dense brown dwarfs on the facilities of galaxies act like gravity wells that accumulate darkish matter. Because darkish matter interacts solely through gravity, it naturally drifts to galactic cores, the place it may be captured by star. As University of Hawai‘i physicist Jeremy Sakstein explains, as soon as inside a star darkish matter can annihilate with itself, releasing power that heats the dwarf. The extra darkish matter a brown dwarf collects, the extra power it outputs. Crucially, this impact solely works if darkish matter particles self-annihilate (as with heavy WIMPs); lighter or non-interacting candidates like axions wouldn’t create darkish dwarfs.

They suggest utilizing a chemical signature: a darkish dwarf ought to maintain on to lithium-7 that standard brown dwarfs burn away. The researchers say highly effective telescopes like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope would possibly already be delicate sufficient to identify cool, dim darkish dwarfs close to the Milky Way’s middle. Detecting even one would strongly counsel that darkish matter is fabricated from heavy, self-interacting particles (like WIMPs).

In associated work, Colgate astrophysicist Jillian Paulin coauthored research of historic “dark stars” fueled by darkish matter, whereas SLAC physicist Rebecca Leane and collaborators have proven that darkish matter seize may warmth brown dwarfs and exoplanets – a course of known as “dark kinetic heating”. Together, these concepts spotlight how even dim, uncommon stars may illuminate the character of darkish matter.