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NEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCE reach a peak in June when the Earth's dark side is facing the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. Dr Robert Foot summarises the DAMA/LIBRA findings by saying: "This fluctuation in photons from season to season is exactly what they have found!"” The Italians are not the only researchers claiming to have detected dark matter right here on Earth. Now researchers in the United States, conducting an experiment they call CoGeNT (Coherent Germanium Neutrino Technology), are finding similar results. Their experiment is looking for evidence that dark matter particles have collided with a crystal of germanium. Sure enough, the modulation signal and the rising low- energy spectrum observed by CoGeNT. This constitutes a model- dependent confirmation of the DAMA signal and adds weight to the mirror dark matter paradigm."” No doubt future developments will shed further light on the possibility of an invisible, right-handed mirror Universe existing right here amongst us. In e meantime, if you occasionally hear unexplained bumps in the night, it just may be that your "mirror neighbours" are moving their furniture again...or maybe not! co what it believes is the first direct reach a peak in June when the Earth's modulation signal and the rising low- evidence of dark matter (or mirror dark side is facing the centre of the energy spectrum observed by matter, if Dr Foot's theory is correct).° — Milky Way galaxy. CoGeNT. This constitutes a model- We recall that the idea of dark Dr Robert Foot summarises the dependent confirmation of the DAMA matter came about because DAMA/LIBRA findings by saying: "This signal and adds weight to the mirror astronomers were unable to account fluctuation in photons from season to dark matter paradigm."” or the mass needed to hold galaxies season is exactly what they have No doubt future developments will ogether. So, why can't we detect it found!"” shed further light on the possibility of ere on Earth? After all, we live close The Italians are not the only an invisible, right-handed mirror ‘© the outer edge of the galaxy we call researchers claiming to have detected Universe existing right here amongst he Milky Way. dark matter right here on Earth. Now us. In e meantime, if you As the Earth travels around the Sun, researchers in the United States, occasionally hear unexplained bumps we are able to view different parts of conducting an experiment they call in the night, it just may be that your he Milky Way at night. Inthe month CoGeNT (Coherent Germanium "mirror neighbours" are moving their of December, we look out towards the Neutrino Technology), are finding furniture again...or maybe not! 00 edge of the galaxy into empty space. similar results. Their experiment is However, in June we look towards the looking for evidence that dark matter About the Author: centre of the Milky Way in the particles have collided with a crystal Rod Hamon, who has lived in Australia constellation of Sagittarius. Naturally, of germanium. Sure enough, the — for many years, studied applied physics we would expect to find more at what is now Southampton Solent evidence of dark matter in June University in the United Kingdom han in December, if it does exist. On the other hand, and is a Fellow of the Royal But first we must be able to find radiation from dark Astronomical Society. A science a way to detect dark matter. The ld h I: fiction writer, he has had 15 stories talians think they've found a way, matter would reach a peai published to date. He can be and have been experimenting with in June when the Earth's contacted by email at a large quantity of a substance Q P 9 rodj@senet.com.au. which they believe will give off dark side is facing photons if hit by dark matter the centre of the Endnotes particles. 1. Longo, Michael J., "Evidence for Milky Way galaxy. The DAMA/LIBRA experiment was conducted in two stages: Galaxies", 16 April 2009, abstract at rom 1996 to 2002, covering seven ttp://arxiv.org/abs/0904.2529 annual cycles, and then from 2003 to CoGeNT team reports that the 2. http://tinyurl.com/2e53rrk he present. So, for some years now experiment is producing abundant 3. Foot, Robert, Shadowlands: Quest for hey have been comparing the evidence of these kinds of collisions. Mirror Matter in the Universe, Universal number of photons given off in June “If it's real, we're looking at a very Publishers, Parkland, Florida, 2002 with those in December. beautiful dark-matter signal," says 4. Foot, R., "The mirror world Professor R. Bernabei, the project's Associate Professor Juan Collar, a interpretation of the 1908 Tunguska group leader, explains that the physicist at the University of Chicago.* event and other more recent events", DAMA/LIBRA experiment carried out Dr Robert Foot summarises his 16 July 2001, abstract at by the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran conclusions from both experiments by _ http-//arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0107132 Sasso in Italy was designed to detect saying: "The CoGeNT collaboration 5. Foot, R. and R.R. Volkas, "A mirror dark matter using a target mass of 250 has recently reported a rising low- world explanation for the Pioneer kilograms of lithium-doped, sodium- energy spectrum in their ultra-low- spacecraft anomalies?", Physics Letters iodide-radioactivity pure crystals. noise germanium detector. This is B 2001; 517(1-2):13-17 The professor points out, however, particularly interesting as the energy 6. http://tinyurl.com/29r39yf that other things—cosmic radiation, range probed by CoGeNT overlaps 7. Foot, R., "A CoGeNT confirmation for example—can also cause photon with the energy region in which DAMA _ of the DAMA signal", 8 April 2010, emission. This background radiation has observed their annual modulation abstract at would be of about the same level all signal. We show that the mirror dark _http://arxiv.org/abs/1004.1424 year round. On the other hand, matter candidate can simultaneously 8. http://tinyurl.com/y8r4kla radiation from dark matter would explain both the DAMA annual 9. http://arxiv.org/abs/1004.1424 a Preferred Handedness of Spiral matter came us. On the other hand, radiation from dark matter would reach a peak in June when the Earth's dark side is facing the centre of the at CoGeNT team reports that the experiment is producing abundant evidence of these kinds of collisions. “If it's real, we're looking at a very beautiful dark-matter signal,” says Associate Professor Juan Collar, a physicist at the University of Chicago.* Dr Robert Foot summarises his conclusions from both experiments by saying: "The CoGeNT collaboration has recently reported a rising low- energy spectrum in their ultra-low- noise germanium detector. This is particularly interesting as the energy range probed by CoGeNT overlaps with the energy region in which DAMA has observed their annual modulation signal. We show that the mirror dark matter candidate can simultaneously explain both the DAMA annual 52 * NEXUS Milky Way galaxy. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2010 www.nexusmagazine.com