Probe reports all systems go in dark matter search
Print Edition
A CHINESE satellite searching for signs of the dark matter scientists believe makes up much of the universe has sent back its first set of data.
The Dark Matter Particle Explorer Satellite ran a power-on test before uploading its first count of high-energy electrons and cosmic rays at around 6pm yesterday to the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Beijing suburb of Huairou.
“Everything seems perfect now... The pointing accuracy and the stability of the craft are actually several times higher than we anticipated when designing the satellite," said Chang Jin, chief scientist on the project.
He said the data sent back was in line with initial calculations, suggesting the satellite is functioning properly, adding that it will still need to undergo two months of tests and calibrations.
Nicknamed Wukong after the Monkey King from a 16th century Chinese classic, the satellite was launched into sun-synchronous orbit 500 kilometers above the Earth's surface from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It has already circled the Earth more than 100 times.
Dark matter, which does not emit or reflect enough electromagnetic radiation to be observed directly, is one of the huge mysteries of modern science.
Theorized by scientists unable to understand the missing mass and strangely bent light in faraway galaxies, dark matter has become widely accepted in the physics community, even though its existence has not been proven so far.
Scientists believe that only around 5 percent of the total mass-energy of the known universe is made up of ordinary matter, while dark matter and dark energy make up the rest.
It is believed that exploring dark matter could give scientists a clearer idea about the past and future of galaxies and the universe, and could be revolutionary for the world of physics and space science.
Wukong is designed to undertake a three-year space mission, but scientists hope it can last five years. It will scan space nonstop in all directions in the first two years and then focus on areas where dark matter is most likely to be observed.
Earlier reports said Wukong has the widest observation spectrum and highest energy resolution of any dark matter probe in the world.
Chang said about 100 high-energy particles can be captured by Wukong each second while in space.
Scientists will look for high-energy electrons and gamma rays among them, which could be residuals of dark matter’s annihilation or decay.
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