A strange LIGO signal could reveal the missing link behind dark matter
Key takeaways
- Primordial black holes have remained one of astronomy's most intriguing ideas for decades.
- Primordial black holes are thought to have formed during the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang, long before the first stars or galaxies existed.
- Although no primordial black hole has ever been confirmed, scientists believe they could answer several major questions about the universe.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
Primordial black holes have remained one of astronomy's most intriguing ideas for decades. Now, researchers at the University of Miami believe a recent gravitational wave detection may bring scientists closer to confirming that these ancient objects are real, a breakthrough that could also help solve the enduring mystery of dark matter.
Primordial black holes are thought to have formed during the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang, long before the first stars or galaxies existed. Unlike the black holes created by collapsing stars, these hypothetical objects could range in size from something as small as an asteroid to much larger bodies.
Although no primordial black hole has ever been confirmed, scientists believe they could answer several major questions about the universe. One of the biggest is the nature of dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up about 85 percent of all matter and provides the gravitational pull that helps hold galaxies together.