Diffuse x-rays: directly observing dark matter?

Journal Article · Tue Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2008/01/023· OSTI ID:22137768

Forbes, Michael McNeil ^[1]

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1. Nuclear Theory Group, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1560 (United States)

Several independent observations of the galactic core suggest hitherto unexplained sources of energy. We suggest that dark matter in the form of dense antimatter nuggets could provide a natural site for electron and proton annihilation, providing 511 keV photons, gamma rays, and diffuse keV x-ray radiation. We show that identifying dark matter as antimatter nuggets is consistent with the observed emissions, and we make definite predictions about their spectrum and morphology. If correct, our proposal not only identifies dark matter and explains baryogenesis, but also allows x-ray observations to directly probe the matter distribution in our galaxy.

• OSTI ID: 22137768
• Journal Information: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2008, Issue 01; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ANNIHILATION
ANTIMATTER
ELECTRONS
GAMMA RADIATION
KEV RANGE
MILKY WAY
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
PHOTONS
PROTONS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
X RADIATION