university of hawaii physics

Scientists Propose “Dark Dwarfs” as Potential Key to Unlocking Dark Matter Mystery

An international team of scientists, spearheaded by a researcher from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has put forth a novel concept: “dark dwarfs.” These theoretical celestial bodies coudl offer crucial insights into dark matter, one of the universe’s most profound enigmas.

Dark matter, an invisible substance comprising approximately 25% of the universe’s total matter, eludes direct observation as it neither emits nor reflects light. Its presence is inferred solely thru its gravitational influence. Despite extensive research over many decades, the precise nature of dark matter remains unknown.

The proposed theory suggests that dark dwarfs might originate from brown dwarfs – celestial objects described as “failed stars” due to their insufficient mass to sustain the nuclear fusion that powers conventional stars. These brown dwarfs,when situated in regions of high dark matter density,such as the core of the Milky Way galaxy,could capture dark matter particles.

Within these hypothetical dark dwarfs, the captured dark matter particles are theorized to collide and annihilate each other, releasing energy. This energy release, distinct from the nuclear fusion powering stars like our Sun, is believed to sustain the object’s glow over extended periods.

Researchers indicate that a potential identifying characteristic of these dark dwarfs could be the presence of lithium. Unlike in ordinary stars where lithium is rapidly consumed, it is predicted to persist within dark dwarfs, providing a means to differentiate them from brown dwarfs. Advanced astronomical instruments, such as the james Webb Space Telescope, may be capable of detecting dark dwarfs by searching for these unique lithium signatures within the galactic centre.

Jeremy Sakstein, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, stated, “Finding dark dwarfs would be an crucial step toward understanding the true nature of dark matter and the fundamental makeup of the universe.” He also highlighted the importance of Hawaiʻi’s extensive history in astronomical research, positioning UH Mānoa as a vital center for investigating the universe’s most profound questions.

This research was published in july 2025 in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is part of the College of Natural Sciences at UH Mānoa.