The Sun has been shining for 4.6 billion years and scientists believe it has about 7 to 8 billion years left before it burns out. However, stars at the center of the Milky Way might have a different fate. These stars seem to be living much longer than expected, and a new study suggests that they could be powered by dark matter instead of nuclear fusion.
Researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden and Stanford University in California used computer simulations to study stars orbiting the galactic center. They found that these stars might be capturing and destroying dark matter particles in their cores, which could potentially keep them stable and prevent their collapse even after they run out of nuclear fuel. This process could extend their lifespan by up to 100 times, making them almost immortal.
The study was prompted by the discovery that stars near the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A*, appear to be much younger than expected. These stars, called S-cluster stars, orbit very close to the black hole at speeds of several thousand kilometers per second. The extreme conditions in this region have puzzled scientists, leading them to investigate the role of dark matter in sustaining these stars.
Dark matter is believed to be abundant at the galactic center, and the researchers hypothesized that the stars could be drawing energy from dark matter to stay alive. The simulations revealed that dark matter annihilation within the stars could explain many of the observed inconsistencies in their behavior. This finding opens up a new area of research, suggesting that stars can survive on dark matter alone.
Lead researcher Isabelle John mentioned that stars fueled by dark matter might exhibit unusual characteristics, such as becoming ‘puffy’ and shedding outer layers. This could explain the presence of enigmatic objects near the galactic center that appear star-like but are surrounded by gas clouds.
While observing individual stars near the galactic center is currently challenging due to the area’s brightness, upcoming telescopes promise clearer views. These improved observations could help scientists better understand this unique stellar population and confirm the existence of what the researchers call the “dark main sequence.”
The study, which was published on the preprint server arXiv in May, is yet to undergo peer review. However, it offers a fascinating insight into the potential influence of dark matter on the lifespan and behavior of stars at the heart of our galaxy.
