Astrophysicists at UC Berkeley have proposed the development of GALAXIS (GALactic AXion Instrument for Supernova), a full-sky gamma-ray satellite array aimed at detecting axions, a leading candidate for dark matter, during supernova events. These particles, theorized to emerge in large quantities during a massive star's collapse, could be transformed into detectable gamma rays when interacting with magnetic fields.
Benjamin Safdi, an associate professor of physics at UC Berkeley, emphasized the significance of capturing a gamma-ray burst, stating it could help identify the mass of the QCD axion and rule out many mass ranges currently being explored. However, capturing such events is challenging due to the rarity of nearby supernovae and the limited operational capabilities of existing gamma-ray observatories, primarily the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.
The last observed supernova, 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud, occurred before modern detectors were sensitive enough for axion-related observations. The proposed GALAXIS array would enhance the likelihood of detecting gamma rays from future supernovae, providing a critical opportunity to advance our understanding of dark matter.
Safdi expressed concerns about missing potential supernovae before adequate instrumentation is in place, highlighting the urgency for development. The study outlines the unique properties of axions, which are expected to interact faintly with all fundamental forces, making neutron stars ideal natural laboratories for their detection.
Simulations indicate that axions from a nearby supernova would produce a brief gamma-ray burst lasting approximately 10 seconds, offering vital information about the axion’s mass and interaction strength. The research team has also revisited data from the 1987A supernova to refine constraints on axion-like particles, emphasizing the potential for future breakthroughs in gamma-ray astronomy.
This research, which includes contributions from graduate student Yujin Park and postdoctoral fellows Claudio Andrea Manzari and Inbar Savoray, was published in 'Physical Review Letters.'