Ultralight dark matter could be detectable inside the Sun by deploying a web of exquisitely precise atomic clocks in space. This concept has been reported by About to TASS, referencing a study published in Nature Astronomy.
Historical observations of spiral galaxies revealed puzzling rotational behavior. The stars in many of these galaxies do not orbit the center as expected, suggesting the presence of unseen mass. To explain these anomalies, scientists introduced the idea of dark matter, a factor added to the equations of motion that helps models mirror observed reality. It is believed that dark matter interacts very weakly with electromagnetic radiation, including light, making it invisible, yet its gravitational effects can be inferred from observations of motion and structure on cosmic scales.
One theoretical framework posits that dark matter could be composed of ultralight axion-like particles, akin to neutrinos in nature. Theoretical models predict clusters of such particles could surround the Sun. The combined mass of these clusters would influence space-time and, in principle, slow the flow of time. Unlike conventional gravity, this time dilation effect would be detectable with a carefully arranged array of sensors that carry ultra-precise clocks and quantum sensors. In this scenario, a SpaceQ mission is envisioned to probe the near-solar environment, placing one or more probes within a few solar radii of the Sun and equipping them with state-of-the-art timing and measurement devices. The aim is to capture minute relativistic signals linked to the local dark matter distribution and its gravitational imprint on space-time. These ideas are described by researchers as the next frontier in experimental tests of fundamental physics and cosmology, with careful consideration given to mission design, thermal management, and radiation hardening in the extreme near-Sun environment [Attribution: Nature Astronomy study via About and TASS].
For the SpaceQ mission to be viable, the proposed instruments would need to operate at distances much closer to the Sun than Mercury’s orbit. The conceptual framework outlines challenges and tradeoffs, including the need for robust heat shielding, precision calibration, and autonomous operation in a harsh thermal regime. The envisioned timeline contemplates phased development, advanced clock technologies, and quantum sensing capabilities that could collectively enable a new class of tests for dark matter and gravity in the solar system.