Scientists propose that a mysterious form of matter, dark matter, may have been created during a Dark Big Bang—a second explosive event following the universe’s birth, reports phys.org. Dark matter is an invisible, elusive substance thought to hold galaxies together and play a crucial role in the formation of the first galaxies. Its existence is inferred through its gravitational effects on ordinary matter, as its particles do not interact with light, making direct observation impossible. In a new study published in Physical Review D, researchers explore a groundbreaking theory proposed last year, suggesting dark matter originated in a separate event—the Dark Big Bang. The universe, including all matter, is believed to have emerged 13.8 billion years ago during the Big Bang. Matter formation began after a phase known as cosmic inflation, a rapid expansion of space, when vacuum energy transformed into a hot plasma of particles. While the origins of ordinary matter are relatively well understood, the source of dark matter remains one of the most enduring mysteries in physics. Dark matter’s presence has been detected indirectly through its gravitational effects on galaxies and clusters, as well as its imprint on the cosmic microwave background—the electromagnetic afterglow of the Big Bang. However, a group of physicists proposed last year that dark matter may have formed later in a Dark Big Bang. According to their theory, dark matter particles emerged from the decay of a quantum field that existed in a metastable “false vacuum” state. The new study builds on this idea, refining the Dark Big Bang model and suggesting that its consequences might be observable through gravitational waves produced during the event. These ripples in spacetime, created by cosmic phenomena, could offer a direct glimpse into this hidden chapter of the universe’s history. Future advancements in radio telescope technology may allow scientists to detect these gravitational waves, potentially confirming the Dark Big Bang theory. Researchers point to background gravitational waves first observed last year as a possible link to this event. If proven, this discovery would extend far beyond explaining dark matter. It would provide profound insights into the universe’s earliest moments, shedding light on the forces and events that shaped its evolution and structure. The confirmation of the Dark Big Bang could revolutionize our understanding of cosmology, unlocking secrets about the very foundations of the cosmos. The post Dark Matter May Have Emerged from a Dark Big Bang appeared first on Anomalien.com.