An abundance of mysterious gamma radiation exists in the center of the Milky Way, called the Galactic Center GeV Excess. Previous research determined that this enigmatic radiation likely came from sources like pulsars — neutron stars that emit electromagnetic radiation.

Now, a new analysis suggests earlier studies underestimated potential dark matter’s role in the creation of the gamma radiation cluster. Scientists Rebecca Leane and Tracy Slatyer reexamined the earlier research, testing the method that previously claimed the gamma ray glow was likely from pulsars.

They found that the earlier method could potentially overlook dark matter signals, misidentifying them as pulsar signals. The results suggest that dark matter may still be contributing to gamma radiation from the Milky Way’s center.

For more on this research, read MIT Physicists Believe There’s Dark Matter at the Center of the Milky Way.

Reference: “Revival of the Dark Matter Hypothesis for the Galactic Center Gamma-Ray Excess” by Rebecca K. Leane and Tracy R. Slatyer, 11 December 2019, Physical Review Letters.

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.241101