Researchers from the universities of Amsterdam, Princeton, and Oxford have proposed that neutron stars might be surrounded by clouds of particles called axions. These axions are very light and hard to detect, but they could help explain dark matter, which makes up most of the universe’s matter but is invisible to us.

Neutron stars are incredibly dense remnants of massive stars that have exploded. The researchers found that axions can get trapped by the strong gravity of neutron stars, forming a cloud around them. Some of these axions can turn into light (photons) when they interact with the star’s magnetic field. This light can be detected by telescopes on Earth, making it possible to observe these axion clouds.

Axions are hypothetical particles, first proposed in the 1970s to solve theoretical problems in particle physics. Axions would be very light and interact weakly with other particles, making them difficult to detect. Although axions have not been directly observed yet, they are a leading candidate for dark matter, the unseen mass that influences the behavior of galaxies and the large scale structure of the universe.

The intersections of astronomy and fundamental physics

Unlike normal matter, dark matter doesn’t emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects. Scientists believe dark matter is crucial for explaining the structure and behavior of galaxies. Despite extensive research, dark matter has not been directly observed, and its exact nature remains one of the biggest puzzles in modern astrophysics.

The researchers describe their methods and results in a paper published in Physical Review X, building on their previous research. Earlier, they looked at axions that escape from neutron stars. Now, they focus on those that stay behind and form clouds. These axion clouds could be a new way to study dark matter and learn more about the universe.

This research could help scientists understand dark matter better. It also opens up new possibilities for observing these elusive particles, highlighting the intersections of astronomical observation and open issues in fundamental physics.

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