Unexplained Gamma-Rays from the Galactic Center Could be from Self-Annihilating Dark Matter

Superimposed over this Fermi image of the Milky Way is the Galactic Center Excess (GCE), an unexplained excess of gamma radiation coming from the galaxy's center. The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope first detected the GCE in 2009, and astronomers have been puzzling over its source ever since. Dark matter can't be ruled out. Image Credit: NASA Goddard/A. Mellinger (Central Michigan Univ.) and T. Linden (Univ. of Chicago)

Over a decade ago, the Fermi satellite detected an excess of gamma-ray emissions in the galactic center. Potential explanations included Sgr. A*, the Milky Way’s SMBH, pulsars, and even self-annihilating dark matter. There’s no clear answer yet, since the region is so difficult to observe. But recent research shows that dark matter can’t be ruled out.

Universe Today
Go to Source

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.