These pulsars have "illuminated" dark matter

Pulsars, these neutron stars, might help us unlock the secrets of dark matter. A recent study reveals clues of this elusive substance through the meticulous observation of these radiation-emitting celestial objects.


Pulsars, the true "lighthouses" of the Universe, emit regular electromagnetic beams, serving as precise beacons in space. Professor John LoSecco from the University of Notre Dame studied the variations in these signals, revealing clues of invisible masses, likely dark matter.

Using data from the PPTA2 project, LoSecco analyzed delays in the arrival of pulsations. This data, sourced from seven radio telescopes, allows timing of the pulsars with nanosecond precision. The results show deviations suggesting the presence of non-visible masses along the path of the signals.

The observed delays, caused by the gravity of these invisible masses, have specific shapes and sizes related to their mass. By studying around sixty millisecond pulsars, about a dozen events indicate a probable interaction with dark matter.

The constant movement of Earth, the Sun, pulsars, and dark matter causes variations in the arrival times of the pulsations. It is this dynamic that LoSecco exploited to detect hidden masses. For example, a solar mass can cause about a 10-microsecond delay.

One of LoSecco's discoveries reveals an object potentially representing 20% of the Sun's mass, possibly a candidate for dark matter. This research also improves pulsar timing data, crucial for other astronomical studies.

Ultimately, this advancement not only sheds light on the nature and distribution of dark matter in the Milky Way but also refines the precision of pulsar data for future research on gravitational waves.