Supernova Discovery May Unlock Dark Matter Mysteries

Astrophysicists at UC Berkeley suggest that a nearby supernova could help detect axions, a leading dark matter candidate, by converting them into gamma rays in the star's magnetic field. This detection, possible with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, could confirm axions' existence and mass, but requires a supernova within the Milky Way or its satellites. The researchers propose launching a fleet of gamma-ray telescopes to ensure detection, as missing this opportunity could delay dark matter discoveries for decades.