A groundbreaking new study conducted by a team of physicists has suggested that primordial black holes (PBHs) might be hiding within celestial bodies such as moons, asteroids, and planets. PBHs are hypothetical black holes that are thought to have formed shortly after the Big Bang, emerging from exceptionally dense pockets of subatomic matter.
Unlike traditional black holes, PBHs are considered as dark matter and could potentially be a significant source of primordial gravitational waves. Recent research suggests that small PBHs may reside within the interiors of main-sequence neutron and dwarf stars, gradually consuming their gas supply.
In their study, the team proposed an innovative approach to detecting PBHs, expanding the search beyond traditional methods. The researchers suggested investigating planets, asteroids, or even utilizing large metal plates or slabs to capture signs of the passage of PBHs.
Rather than relying on direct observation, scientists are exploring the microchannels that PBHs would leave behind, providing potential evidence of their existence. This quest for PBHs was initiated by Russian scientists Igor D. Novikov and Yakov Zeldovich in 1966, leading to decades of research and investigation.
The recently conducted study was carried out by De-Chang Dai, a physicist at National Dong Hwa University, and the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics (CERCA) at Case Western Reserve University, along with physicist Dejan Stojkovic from the High Energy Physics and Cosmology group at the State University of New York Buffalo.
While discussing the rationale behind their novel detection methods, the researchers explained that if a celestial body, such as an asteroid, moon, or small planet, possesses a liquid core surrounded by a solid crust, a PBH within it would consume the dense liquid core relatively quickly, resulting in a hollow structure. However, if the central black hole were to be ejected due to collisions, the remaining density would be lower than that of a solid rocky object with a liquid core.
The scientists highlighted the potential suitability of planetoids, moons, and asteroids for their research, noting that materials like granite could support hollow structures with radii up to 1/10 of the Earth’s radius.
This significant finding paves the way for further exploration into the mysterious world of PBHs and their potential existence within celestial bodies, opening up exciting new avenues for scientific investigation and understanding.
FAQ Section:
Q: What are primordial black holes (PBHs)?
A: Primordial black holes (PBHs) are hypothetical black holes that are believed to have formed shortly after the Big Bang from dense pockets of subatomic matter. Unlike traditional black holes, PBHs are considered as dark matter and could be a source of primordial gravitational waves.
Q: What did the recent study propose?
A: The study proposed an innovative approach to detecting PBHs by expanding the search beyond traditional methods. The researchers suggested investigating celestial bodies such as planets, moons, and asteroids, as well as utilizing large metal plates or slabs to capture signs of the passage of PBHs.
Q: How do scientists plan to detect PBHs?
A: Instead of direct observation, scientists aim to detect the microchannels that PBHs would leave behind, providing potential evidence of their existence within celestial bodies. The researchers are exploring the consumption of dense liquid cores by PBHs, resulting in hollow structures.
Q: Who conducted the study?
A: The study was conducted by physicist De-Chang Dai from National Dong Hwa University and the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics (CERCA) at Case Western Reserve University, along with physicist Dejan Stojkovic from the High Energy Physics and Cosmology group at the State University of New York Buffalo.
Q: What celestial bodies are suitable for the research?
A: The scientists highlighted the potential suitability of planetoids, moons, and asteroids for their research. Materials like granite can support hollow structures with radii up to 1/10 of the Earth’s radius.
Definitions:
Primordial black holes (PBHs): Hypothetical black holes believed to have formed shortly after the Big Bang from dense pockets of subatomic matter. These black holes are considered as dark matter and may be a source of primordial gravitational waves.
Gravitational waves: Ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as the merging of black holes or neutron stars.
Dark matter: Unobservable matter that is believed to exist due to its gravitational effects on visible matter. It is thought to make up a significant portion of the universe.
Jargon (no definitions needed):
Big Bang
Subatomic matter
Main-sequence neutron stars
Microchannels
Cosmology and astrophysics
High Energy Physics and Cosmology group
Related links:
Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics (CERCA)
State University of New York Buffalo
The source of the article is from the blog reporterosdelsur.com.mx