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03/29/2024 12:38:59 am

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ISS Particle Detector Reveals Clues About Dark Matter

AMS

(Photo : NASA) The AMS particle accelerator aboard the International Space Station hints at positrons that could reveal the origins of dark matter.

New data from an experiment conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) using the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) demonstrates the probable existence of dark matter.

AMS is a cosmic ray detector attached to the exterior of the International Space Station. This project costs US$2 billion. 

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Scientists have long thought about what coheres the universe and dark matter fits the bill since it continues to hold everything simultaneously with the help of cosmic gravitational forces.

Dark matter can't be seen visually with instruments such as telescopes. Uncannily, dark matter doesn't emit any sort of radiation such as electromagnetic radiation and even absorbs light much like black holes do.

Samuel Ting, project leader of the AMS team and also a Nobel Laureate from MIT, said the team hasn't found any concrete evidence that suggests dark matter but data can further help them decipher dark matter in a more fitting manner.

Another study, which has been ongoing for three years, involves CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which has been collecting important data about cosmic ray collisions.

After observing the remarkable shift of balance between electrons and positrons, a particle that possess the same qualities of an electron but with a positive charge, scientists concluded they have the exact antimatter equivalent when exposed to higher energy levels.

After analyzing some 41 billion cosmic ray events, the team reported a significant decline in the proportions of positrons measured at energy levels of 275 gigaelectronvolts.

The individual spectra between electrons and positrons produce different shapes as energy levels increase. New data demonstrates that positrons are actually cosmic ray interactions as opposed to being actual secondary cosmic rays.

CERN suggests the presence of positrons could mean the existence of dark matter since it's an undeniable fact that gravity exerts an influence on visible matter.

AMS will now gather more data over the next 10 years that will hopefully reveal more evidence about these cosmic rays that exist at higher energy levels.

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