The universe, with its wonders and mysteries, may be far more complex than we ever imagined. A new theory advanced by a group of cosmologists proposes the existence of a second Big Bang, a transformative event that could explain the great abundance of dark matter, that mysterious component that still eludes our full understanding. This theory, if confirmed, will revolutionize our way of seeing the universe, leading us to reconsider the fundamental events that shaped cosmic reality.
Katherine Freese and his colleagues proposed the idea of a “Dark Big Bang.” A separate event that could have formed various types of dark matter, from giant particles (so-called "darkzillas") to lighter ones known as "dark cannibals".
Dark matter and “the second Big Bang”
The theory of the second Big Bang emerges at a time when understanding dark matter has become one of the most fascinating and complex challenges of modern physics. Although dark matter does not interact directly with light or electromagnetic fields, its presence is inferred from astronomical observations. In particular, by the way galaxies group together and move. The Standard Model of physics, despite being a powerful tool for describing the known universe, has difficulty accounting for these anomalies.
As mentioned, Freese and his team suggest that a second cosmic event (characterized by a different dynamic from the first Big Bang) could be responsible for the creation of different forms of dark matter. This hypothesis not only offers a possible explanation for the origin of dark matter, but also opens the way to new theories on the structure and evolution of the universe.
One of the most intriguing ideas related to this theory (that I link to you here) is the formation of “darkzillas”. What are? particles of enormous size, 10 trillion times the mass of a proton. These giant particles, if they exist, could provide fundamental clues to understanding the distribution of dark matter in the universe. At the same time, the hypothesis of “dark cannibals” introduces the idea of dark matter particles absorbing each other, a concept that could help explain how dark matter interacts and changes over time.
Beyond the “standard model”: a new understanding of the universe
The search for confirmation of this theory is now focused on the study of gravitational waves, the ripples in space-time generated by extreme cosmic events. By analyzing gravitational waves, scientists hope to find traces of the “Dark Big Bang” and better understand how dark matter was formed and how it evolved over billions of years.
This new approach represents a significant breakthrough in the field of astronomy and cosmology. Instead of looking at a single catastrophic event that gave rise to the universe, scientists are now exploring the possibility of multiple phase transitions. Phases that led to the gradual birth of everything, from ordinary matter to dark matter.
Search for Cosmic Origins
By measuring disturbances in the signals emitted by highly magnetized neutron stars, known as pulsars, scientists are trying to locate the origin of these gravitational waves. This effort could not only provide further clues to the existence of a second Big Bang, but also help us better understand the earliest days of the universe. If the “Dark Big Bang” theory were to be confirmed, it would be an epochal turning point in our understanding of the universe. We may finally be getting closer to solving the mystery of dark matter. And perhaps find out if particles like “darkzillas” or “dark cannibals” constitute a significant part of the cosmic fabric that surrounds us.
