Recent data from NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which collected samples from asteroid Bennu between 2018 and 2021, hints at the existence of a possible fifth fundamental force of nature. This force could join gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear interactions, potentially extending beyond the Standard Model of physics.
Researchers propose that this fifth force might be mediated by hypothetical ultralight particles, possibly linked to dark matter, which remains undetected directly. A study led by astrophysicist Yu-Dai Tsai from Los Alamos National Laboratory suggests that analyzing Bennu's orbit around the Sun could help set limits on the mass of these particles, if they exist.
Tsai stated that tracking data from Bennu could enhance understanding of gravity and dark matter, with implications for the Standard Model of physics. The research is based on the premise that invisible forces can be inferred from their effects on objects, similar to how a slight tilt in a pool table affects the movement of balls.
Precise measurements of Bennu's trajectory present a unique opportunity to detect subtle effects of these hypothetical forces. One theory suggests that particles associated with dark matter could modify gravity on larger scales, influencing the orbits of celestial bodies. These particles would behave according to Yukawa interaction, proposing a new field that slightly alters Newton's laws.
While current results indicate that existing physics adequately explains Bennu's movement, they do not rule out a fifth force. However, they impose stringent limits on its strength or range, suggesting it remains below detectable levels with current technology.
The quest for a fifth force and the particles responsible for dark matter continues, with asteroids potentially playing a crucial role in this investigation. According to Tsai, the trajectories of these space objects may contain anomalies that could reveal new laws of physics.