Could primordial black holes be hiding in rocks and asteroids?

Could primordial black holes be hiding in rocks and asteroids?

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs), believed to have formed right after the Big Bang, might be hiding in places researchers never thought to explore—such as asteroids, planets, or even rocks on Earth. These hypothetical black holes are thought to form from dense pockets of subatomic matter, potentially making up dark matter. However, no direct evidence of PBHs has been found so far.

A new study by physicists De-Chang Dai and Dejan Stojkovic, published in Physics of the Dark Universe, proposes a fresh approach to detect PBHs. They suggest that PBHs could be hiding inside rocky planets or asteroids, hollowing out their cores. When a PBH consumes a planet's liquid core, it could leave behind an empty shell, detectable through its orbit or density.

The researchers also theorize that fast-moving PBHs might punch straight tunnels through asteroids or Earth’s rocks, leaving narrow pathways as potential evidence. Detecting these "micro-tunnels" wouldn’t require expensive equipment—just a closer look at ancient rocks or unusual asteroid structures.

While the probability of finding such signs is low, the authors argue that the potential payoff—evidence of a PBH—is immense.

This innovative idea challenges traditional methods of detection, opening up new possibilities to unlock the secrets of the Universe’s origins.