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In South Dakota scientists may have found dark matter in an old gold mine
MPR News • • science
Key Points:
- Scientists at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota may have detected dark matter for the first time during their Lux Zeplin experiment nearly a mile underground in a former gold mine.
- Dark matter, which makes up about 85% of all matter in the universe, has remained undetected despite being theorized since the 1930s; researchers are now carefully analyzing data to rule out other explanations for the signals observed.
- The experiment focuses on detecting weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) by observing tiny flashes of light caused when these particles collide with atomic nuclei in ultradense liquid xenon deep underground.
- Confirming the discovery would be a groundbreaking advancement in particle physics, but scientists emphasize the need for more data and peer review before declaring a definitive detection of dark matter.
- The findings are currently under peer review by global collaborators, with ongoing efforts to validate the results and further understand the elusive nature of dark matter.
