Universe (Image: Canva)

Imagine a universe where, even before the Big Bang, primordial black holes might have been quietly shaping the cosmos. A recent study suggests this intriguing scenario, proposing that dark matter could have been primarily composed of these ancient black holes during the universe's transition from its final contraction to its current expansion phase. This concept, if validated, could revolutionise our understanding of dark matter, offering new avenues for future gravitational wave observatories to explore.

The Early Universe and Dark Matter’s Origins

Patrick Peter, a director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) who was not involved in the study, explained to Live Science, “Small primordial black holes could have formed in the universe’s early stages. If they are sufficiently large, their decay through Hawking radiation would not be rapid enough to eliminate them, meaning they could still be present today.” He added that these black holes, with masses comparable to asteroids, might significantly contribute to dark matter or potentially provide a solution to its mysteries.

“This research is significant as it proposes a natural method for the formation of small black holes contributing to dark matter, within a framework different from the conventional inflation-based models,” Peter noted.

This study opens up new possibilities for understanding dark matter and the early universe, potentially setting the stage for future discoveries that could reshape our view of cosmic history.