NASA's Breakthrough in Dark Matter Detection Using Fermi Spacecraft

Scientists may have 'seen' dark matter for the first time, thanks to NASA's Fermi gamma-ray space telescope. This potential breakthrough marks the first direct detection of dark matter, a substance theorized since 1933 by astronomer Fritz Zwicky.

Zwicky noted that the visible galaxies of the Coma Cluster lacked the necessary gravitational influence to prevent the cluster from dispersing. Further evidence in the 1970s by astronomer Vera Rubin indicated that the outer edges of spiral galaxies were spinning at rates consistent with a mass distributed beyond their centers.

Following these observations, astronomers estimated that 85% of the universe's matter is dark matter, while only 15% is made up of visible matter, such as stars and planets. The elusive nature of dark matter arises from its weak interaction with electromagnetic radiation; it does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it effectively invisible.

Theoretical models suggest that dark matter could be composed of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs, which are hypothesized to annihilate upon colliding, releasing gamma-ray photons. A research team led by Tomonori Totani from the University of Tokyo focused the Fermi spacecraft on the Milky Way's center, where dark matter is expected to accumulate.

They detected gamma rays with a photon energy of 20 gigaelectronvolts, showing a halolike structure consistent with a dark matter halo. This gamma-ray emission closely matches predictions for the annihilation of WIMPs, which are theorized to have a mass approximately 500 times that of a proton.

Totani stated, 'If this is correct, it would mark the first time humanity has seen dark matter.' However, the scientific community remains cautious. While Totani's findings are significant, experts like Prof.

Justin Read from the University of Surrey argue that more evidence is needed. They suggest verifying these gamma-ray emissions from other regions, such as dwarf galaxies, to rule out alternative explanations.

Prof. Kinwah Wu from University College London echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The research was published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, but the findings require further confirmation before concluding that dark matter has been detected.

The implications of this potential discovery are profound, possibly reshaping our understanding of cosmic structures and the fundamental forces that govern the universe.