A faint light in the Milky Way’s centre could be hidden dark matter, says study

A Faint Light in the Milky Way’s Centre Could Be Hidden Dark Matter, Says Study (Image: Canva)

A strange glow at the Milky Way’s centre has puzzled astronomers for years. Now, new simulations suggest the mysterious light could come from dark matter rather than dying stars.

Could the glow finally reveal dark matter?
Scientists recreated the Milky Way’s history using supercomputers to track where dark matter should collect and collide. Their maps matched real gamma-ray data captured by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The findings, published on October 16 in Physical Review Letters, suggest the glow could result from dark matter particles crashing together.

But how certain are researchers? According to the study, the gamma-ray pattern might also be produced by fast-spinning neutron stars known as millisecond pulsars. Both possibilities remain equally strong, leaving the cosmic puzzle open.

What are scientists saying about the discovery?
“Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together,” said co-author Joseph Silk, professor at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute of Astrophysics, Sorbonne University, and CNRS. He explained that the excess gamma rays at the galaxy’s centre might be the first real clue to detecting dark matter.

The research team, led by Moorits Muru from the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), built detailed computer models to show how the Milky Way formed. They found that during its early years, smaller galaxy-like systems made of dark matter merged into one large galaxy. As the dark matter settled toward the centre, collisions became more frequent, producing a light pattern similar to that seen in reality.

Are pulsars still a possible explanation?
Some scientists believe millisecond pulsars could still explain the gamma-ray signals. These are old neutron stars that spin rapidly and emit strong radiation. However, for this theory to fit, there would need to be many more pulsars than those currently observed.

To test both theories, researchers hope to use the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array, which will provide sharper gamma-ray measurements. If the telescope detects higher-energy rays, pulsars are likely the source. Lower-energy rays, however, could confirm the long-sought evidence of dark matter collisions.

What comes next in the search for answers?
The team now plans to predict where dark matter might be found in dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way. By comparing their models with new high-resolution data, scientists hope to identify a clear signal.

“A clean signal would be a smoking gun, in my opinion,” Silk said. “If we confirm it, we could finally be looking at the real trace of dark matter. If not, the mystery will only deepen.”