Astronomers propose dark stars at the Milky Way's center may explain galaxy structure

In recent research, scientists have explored the potential nature of the cores of galaxies, suggesting that they may not be composed of conventional materials, but instead could harbor immense, invisible structures composed of a unique form of matter known as fuzzy dark matter. Having identified that a significant portion of a galaxy's mass remains undetected, astronomers aim to uncover the properties and manifestations of this elusive dark matter. They have postulated that the low density of galaxy cores may be attributed to the lightness of dark matter particles, which are hypothesized to be billions of times less massive than the known neutrino. This groundbreaking work builds upon the existing notion of dark matter, which exists primarily in theoretical frameworks since it has not been directly observed. Hypothetically, fuzzy dark matter consists of incredibly lightweight particles that exhibit quantum-wave behavior across massive scales, enabling vast clumps to form without concentrating into high densities typical of solid matter. These dark stars can potentially span thousands of light-years while maintaining low mass and densities, an intriguing phenomenon that could redefine the structure of galaxies as we know them. In their study, researchers simplified the complexity of an entire galaxy model by creating a two-component system: one part fuzzy dark matter and one part ideal gas. This allowed them to simulate how the gravitational interactions would evolve over time. Initially, the particles behaved randomly, but as simulations progressed, the fuzzy dark matter began to coalesce into a significant cluster at the center while surrounding clouds remained more diffuse. The results suggested a blending of the fuzzy dark matter with normal matter, leading to the formation of what the researchers termed a fermion-boson star. This unique star differs vastly from traditional stellar concepts, achieving sizes up to 10,000 light-years in diameter, with only subtle visibility due to the gas dispersed throughout its structure. These findings confirm a pivotal element of the fuzzy dark matter hypothesis, indicating that while galaxies consist predominantly of dark matter, they also maintain a network of normal matter that complements this hidden mass. This new perspective sheds light on the intricate dynamics at play within galaxies, potentially offering answers to longstanding questions about their formation and evolution.