Nearby Supernova Could Unlock Dark Matter Mystery

UC Berkeley scientists propose that gamma rays from axions produced in a supernova may confirm the existence and mass of dark matter particles.

Astrophysicists suggest that detecting gamma rays from axions during a nearby supernova could identify the elusive QCD axion, a leading dark matter candidate.
Axions are theorized to form in large quantities during the first 10 seconds of a neutron star's core collapse and convert into gamma rays in strong magnetic fields.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has a 10% chance of capturing such gamma rays if pointed in the right direction during a supernova explosion.
A gamma-ray detection would provide precise measurements of the axion's mass, potentially reshaping dark matter research and eliminating the need for certain Earth-based experiments.
Scientists stress the urgency of launching a fleet of gamma-ray telescopes, as the next nearby supernova may occur before adequate instrumentation is in place.