Is the Sun Surrounded by Dark Matter?

Dark matter is one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Although invisible and undetectable by ordinary light, it makes up about 85% of all matter in the cosmos and plays a crucial role in shaping galaxies, including our own Milky Way. But what exactly is dark matter, and why does its presence near the Sun matter for human survival?

What Is Dark Matter?
Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to all traditional detection methods. Its existence is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter, such as stars and galaxies, which cannot be explained by the matter we can see alone. Dark matter acts as a kind of cosmic scaffolding, holding galaxies together and influencing their formation and evolution.

Recent Discoveries: Dark Matter Around the Sun
Scientists from the University of Zurich have recently developed new methods to measure the amount of dark matter near the Sun. By analyzing the positions and velocities of thousands of nearby stars, they found strong evidence-99% confidence-that dark matter exists in our solar neighborhood. This challenges previous methods that underestimated local dark matter density due to biases in data analysis.
The study suggests two possibilities: either there is a dense “disc” of dark matter embedded within the Milky Way’s structure, or the dark matter halo surrounding our galaxy is flattened, increasing the amount of dark matter near the Sun.

Why Does This Matter for Human Survival?
Understanding the local properties of dark matter is more than an academic pursuit-it directly impacts our efforts to detect dark matter particles on Earth. Experiments like XENON and CDMS rely on knowing how much dark matter passes through our planet to design detectors sensitive enough to capture these elusive particles. Detecting dark matter could revolutionize physics, potentially unlocking new technologies and deepening our understanding of the universe’s fundamental laws.
Moreover, dark matter influences the stability and evolution of our galaxy, which indirectly affects the long-term conditions for life on Earth. A better grasp of dark matter distribution helps refine models of cosmic radiation, gravitational forces, and even planetary orbits-factors that can impact Earth’s environment over millions of years.

Cutting-Edge Techniques and Future Prospects
Beyond stellar observations, new experimental techniques are emerging. For example, networks of ultra-precise atomic clocks linked by fiber optics are being developed to detect subtle oscillations caused by dark matter fields passing through Earth. Other projects use quantum materials to create “cosmic radio” detectors tuned to frequencies predicted for certain dark matter candidates.
Additionally, experiments like COSINUS aim to confirm or refute controversial signals from earlier dark matter detection attempts, advancing the search for direct evidence. These efforts, combined with astrophysical observations, are rapidly narrowing the possibilities for what dark matter could be.

Conclusion
While dark matter remains invisible and mysterious, its gravitational fingerprints are clear and essential to the structure of our universe. Recent advances in measuring dark matter near the Sun not only deepen our cosmic understanding but also enhance our chances of detecting dark matter particles here on Earth. This knowledge is vital for future scientific breakthroughs that could impact technology, energy, and our understanding of the cosmos-ultimately influencing human survival and progress.

Read More
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[2] https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dark-matter/en/
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[5] https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsdark-matter
[6] https://www.science.org/content/article/if-type-dark-matter-existed-people-would-be-dying-unexplained-gunshot-wounds
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