Scientists Reveal New Insights on Cosmic Explosion Linked to Dark Matter

A recent study has shed light on the brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded, known as GRB 221009A. This event, which occurred 2.4 billion light-years away, was linked to the collapse of a massive star into a black hole, producing an unprecedented output of energy, reaching up to 18 teraelectronvolts. Researchers are now investigating the anomaly that these high-energy photons should not have been detectable due to absorption by extragalactic background light.

The study, led by astrophysicist Giorgio Galanti of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy, suggests that interactions between photons and axion-like particles, a candidate for dark matter, may explain this phenomenon. These particles could allow for greater transparency in intergalactic space, making it possible for such high-energy light to reach Earth.

The research was presented at the 58th Rencontres de Moriond conference and has sparked interest in how axion-like particles could impact our understanding of dark matter, a substance believed to compose about 85% of the universe's mass. While the results are promising, further investigation is required to confirm these findings. The implications for astrophysics and our comprehension of the universe are significant.