Dark Matter Mystery Unfolds
For over a decade, astronomers have been baffled by a high-energy glow at the Milky Way’s center. New computer simulations suggest that dark matter around galaxies’ centers may be “flattened” rather than spherical. This could solve part of the mystery.
The research team used advanced simulations to model dark matter behavior. They found that past mergers and gravitational interactions could distort dark matter into a flattened shape. This shape matches the gamma-ray pattern detected by NASA’s Fermi space telescope.
The Findings
- Dark matter may not be uniformly spherical around the galaxy.
- Galactic torques, like those from the stellar spheroid, could impact dark matter’s shape.
- The gamma-ray excess may be attributed to dark matter, but more evidence is needed.
Future observatories will be crucial in tracing dark matter interactions and pulsars. The study’s findings have revived a long-disputed theory linking dark matter to the Milky Way’s bright central glow.