Astronomers suggest that an infrared glow noticed in Jupiter’s ambiance could also be darkish matter particles colliding.
A brand new examine proposes directing the seek for darkish matter towards the atmospheres of Jupiter and Jupiter-like exoplanets.
Jupiter, being the heaviest planet in our photo voltaic system, could possibly be attracting darkish matter particles that collide to provide excessive vitality particles within the type of ionizing radiation. This is able to result in greater than regular ranges of ionized hydrogen atoms within the type of trihydrogen cations (H3+) — ions composed of three hydrogen nuclei and solely two electrons.
“These ions are extremely ample all through the Universe, and are produced from H2 interactions with cosmic rays, stellar irradiation, planetary lightning, or electrons accelerated in planetary magnetic fields,” wrote the scientists, Carlos Blanco and Rebecca Leane, of their paper. “Planetary H3+ ranges have been extensively studied, and they’re essential as they supply very important insights into atmospheric temperature, in addition to a tracer of electrical currents operating by the ambiance.
“The manufacturing of trihydrogen cations resulting from ionizing radiation was first confirmed spectroscopically within the [atmosphere] of Jupiter, utilizing the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer experiment.”
Proof would possibly have already got been collected by the Cassini probe
These cations emit detectable ranges of infrared radiation, which the workforce thinks could possibly be detectable within the knowledge gathered by the Cassini probe, which flew previous Jupiter in 2000 en path to its mission on Saturn.
“We execute our [dark matter] ionization search utilizing Cassini’s [visual and infrared mapping spectrometer] flyby knowledge of Jovian [atmospheric] trihydrogen cations,” the scientists wrote. “We goal Jupiter as it’s the most effective darkish matter captor in comparison with Saturn or different planets.”
“To optimize sign […], we examine Cassini knowledge taken three hours both aspect of Jovian midnight, which eliminates the photo voltaic [ionizing] irradiation background. We additionally give attention to low-latitude knowledge, as latitudes close to the poles are topic to the extreme Jovian magnetic fields, which produce ionizing auroras that are a major supply of [trihydrogen cations].”
Their evaluation did reveal trihydrogen cations however its nonetheless unclear if this may be linked to darkish matter or background ranges generated by different sources. These embrace cations produced by the interplay of hydrogen with high-energy cosmic particles, stellar radiation, planetary lightning, electrons accelerated in Jupiter’s magnetic fields, and ionizing radiation deposited into Jupiter’s ambiance from volcanic eruptions of Jupiter’s third largest moon, Io.
A promising begin
Though the workforce didn’t acquire the definitive and hoped for outcomes , it helped set extra stringent constraints on the interplay power of those particles. This may be helpful for different future experiments in search of to review this enigmatic piece of matter.
There’s additionally nonetheless the chance that this method might nonetheless yield optimistic outcomes with the subsequent era of scientific spacecraft.
“Improved Jovian measurements in comparison with Cassini are deliberate within the 2030s with the European Area Company’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), which can enable elevated sensitivity to [dark matter] ionization,” they stated.
As well as, the scientists consider their methodology could be utilized to different Jovian exoplanets. Though these planets are a lot farther from Earth than Jupiter, many are considerably bigger, making them doubtlessly higher darkish matter captors.
These situated on the heart of our galaxy, the place the darkish matter density is predicted to be greater, ought to have the ability to seize darkish matter much more effectively.
“Though optimistic, a future spectral measurement of exoplanets within the interior Galaxy with, [for example, James Webb Space Telescope], the Roman Area Telescope, or a future extra delicate telescope might notice the exoplanetary sensitivities,” they concluded.
Reference: Carlos Blanco and Rebecca Okay. Leane, Seek for Darkish Matter Ionization on the Evening Facet of Jupiter with Cassini, Bodily Evaluation Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.261002
Characteristic picture credit score: GustavoAckles on Pixabay