Space-bound experiment aims to unveil dark matter secrets

Physicists from the University of Southampton are working on an innovative dark matter detector that is set to be placed in space. The equipment employs levitating graphite sheets in microgravity to detect anomalies that may indicate the presence of dark matter.

It remains one of science's greatest mysteries. Although it affects the structure of the universe, it has yet to be directly detected. Dark matter is currently the most widely accepted hypothesis explaining unusual phenomena related to the rotation of galaxies and the movements of galaxies within larger structures, such as clusters. Even though the dark matter theory receives strong support from the scientific community, its actual presence has not yet been fully confirmed, and what exactly this mysterious substance is remains a puzzle.

The Fuchs experiment and his team's work will be conducted on the Jovian-1 satellite, which will orbit the Earth for two years. According to Fuchs, the experiment is unique: they will levitate graphite between magnets, which in zero gravity are incredibly sensitive to small forces.

If dark matter exists in a sufficiently high density, a phenomenon known as "dark wind" might shift the levitating particles, which can be measured. This is the first experiment aimed at detecting dark matter beyond Earth.

The Jovian-1 satellite is the size of a shoebox and is planned for launch in early 2026. The experiment's results may provide new insights into dark matter, regardless of whether it is detected. The mission is the first of its kind to utilise levitation technology in space.

Some theories suggest that dark matter may not penetrate Earth's atmosphere, which could explain the lack of results in previous experiments. The Jovian-1 mission aims, among other things, to test this hypothesis. If scientists manage to detect this fascinating phenomenon, it could mark a breakthrough in dark matter research.