The key idea behind the findings is that if dark matter consists of weakly interacting massive particles — known as WIMPs — occasional collisions between them could produce gamma rays. This latest halo-like signal exhibits the energy signatures expected from such interactions. Researchers studying galaxy motion, gravitational lensing and large-scale cosmic structures have long argued that visible matter alone cannot account for the universe’s architecture.
A long quest reaches a promising moment
Scientists have pursued direct evidence of dark matter for nearly a century. Over time, various experiments and sky surveys have hinted at unexplained gamma-ray ‘excesses’ near the Milky Way’s center. Some earlier studies suggested the emissions could come from clusters of millisecond pulsars — rapidly rotating neutron stars — rather than dark matter.