California (Web Desk): In an effort to uncover the nature of dark matter, scientists have recorded an unusual particle interaction, which is being considered among the most significant evidence so far regarding the nature of this mysterious and invisible matter. However, researchers say it cannot currently be described as a discovery of dark matter.
The unusual event was observed during the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, located approximately one mile underground.
The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment uses around 10 tons of ultra-pure liquid xenon to search for weakly interacting massive particles. These particles are among the leading theoretical candidates for dark matter.
During the research, scientists detected a particle interaction that has so far been difficult to explain through known background processes. The analysis showed a global statistical significance of 2.6 sigma for the signal, including the possibility of the signal occurring by chance at different locations. This level is considerably below the standard required for a scientific discovery.
According to scientists, dark matter is believed to account for approximately 85 percent of the total matter in the universe. It cannot be observed directly, but its presence is inferred from its gravitational effects on galaxies and cosmic structures.