A near-Earth asteroid offers clues to one dark matter theory

 In an effort to learn more about dark matter and maybe a fifth fundamental force, scientists are analyzing data from near-Earth asteroids like Bennu. In order to place limitations on a proposed "fifth force" that might interact with dark matter, researchers lead by Los Alamos National Laboratory employed exact tracking data of Bennu's orbit, which has been improved by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. Similar to how Neptune was anticipated based on Uranus's erratic orbit, celestial trajectories, like Bennu's, can reveal novel physics.

Ultralight bosons are particles that may mediate this fifth force and affect the asteroid's trajectory, according to one theory. These bosons could expand the Standard Model of physics to include dark matter, an enigmatic kind of substance that makes up over 85% of the mass of the universe but is still poorly understood. In 2029, this research will continue with the asteroid Apophis with the goal of expanding our knowledge of dark matter and invisible cosmic forces. Check out Earth.com and Discover LANL for additional information.