New Dark Matter Candidate Discovered, Self-Annihilating Particles

Astrophysicists have identified a new candidate for dark matter, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of this elusive substance. Observed phenomena at the Milky Way's center provide compelling evidence for this novel form of dark matter. Unlike previous theories suggesting dark matter interacts with ordinary matter through gravity, this new candidate exhibits self-annihilation. This self-annihilation process involves dark matter particles colliding and producing electron-positron pairs, releasing energy crucial for ionizing hydrogen atoms in the dense gas at the Milky Way's core. Calculations indicate that these particles are lighter than previously theorized, with a mass less than one giga-electronvolt. This interaction could explain the unusual ionization observed in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of our galaxy. While hypothetical axions and axion-like particles remain leading candidates for dark matter, this discovery suggests a previously unknown particle may be responsible for the ionization of gas in the CMZ. If confirmed, this new theory could unlock methods for studying dark matter beyond gravitational effects, offering insights into how dark matter shapes the Milky Way.