Are Primordial Black Holes the Missing Piece in the Dark Matter Puzzle?

In summary, recent research has suggested that the possibility of primordial black holes being the dominant constituent of dark matter is becoming less likely. This is supported by a study that excludes a remaining mass window for primordial black holes as the main source of dark matter. These findings are complemented by other research on annual variations in apparent DM particle detections, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
  • #1
Chronos
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It looks like the case for primordial black holes as dark matter is drawing to a close: http://arxiv.org/abs/1401.3025, Exclusion of the remaining mass window for primordial black holes as the dominant constituent of dark matter.
 
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  • #2
Chronos said:
It looks like the case for primordial black holes as dark matter is drawing to a close: http://arxiv.org/abs/1401.3025, Exclusion of the remaining mass window for primordial black holes as the dominant constituent of dark matter.

Another excellent find! thank you Chronos. there is some synergy, so to speak, with that other paper you found about annual variation in apparent DM particle detections. Interesting developments!
 
  • #3
I'm retired, so I have way too much spare time. But, yes, this is all fascinating [to me], and the sum of the parts appears to paint a bigger picture.
 

1. What are primordial black holes?

Primordial black holes are hypothetical objects that may have formed in the early universe, shortly after the Big Bang. They are believed to be small, dense black holes that were created from the intense gravitational forces present in the early universe.

2. Can primordial black holes be the source of dark matter?

Yes, some scientists theorize that primordial black holes could make up a significant portion of the dark matter in the universe. However, this is still a topic of ongoing research and has not been definitively proven.

3. How are primordial black holes different from other black holes?

Primordial black holes are significantly smaller and less massive than other black holes, such as those formed from the collapse of a dying star. They are also thought to have formed in a different way, making them unique objects in the universe.

4. How can we detect primordial black holes?

One potential way to detect primordial black holes is through their gravitational effects on surrounding matter, such as bending light from distant stars. Another method is to search for bursts of high-energy radiation emitted from collisions between primordial black holes and other objects in space.

5. What is the significance of primordial black holes as dark matter?

If primordial black holes are indeed a major component of dark matter, it would greatly impact our understanding of the universe and its evolution. It could also help explain some of the observed discrepancies in the amount of visible matter versus the amount of gravitational pull in galaxies and other cosmic structures.

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