Scientists claim first detection of dark matter via gamma rays
A bold claim at the heart of astrophysics has electrified the scientific community: researchers at the University of Tokyo report what may be the first direct detection of dark matter, suggesting the universe's most elusive substance has finally revealed itself—at least in gamma ray form. Using fifteen years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the team’s analysis points to high-energy gamma-ray emissions near the center of the Milky Way that perfectly mirror theoretical expectations for dark matter's annihilation, potentially signaling a new era for cosmology.
Scientists may have detected a gamma ray signal from dark matter, a particle not included in the current standard model of particle physics, using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Professor Tomonori Totani of the University of Tokyo identified a 20-GeV gamma ray halo near the Milky Way's center, matching predictions for the annihilation of hypothetical WIMPs. Independent verification is crucial, with further evidence potentially coming from other dark matter-rich regions.
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