Cosmic Radio: Tuning into the Universe's Dark Secret

Discover how scientists are using a breakthrough “cosmic car radio” to detect dark matter—an invisible force that makes up 85% of the universe. Learn what dark matter is and how this new technology could unlock the universe’s deepest mysteries.

                                         

Fig 1. Dark matter 

Introduction — 

What Is Dark Matter and Why Is It a Mystery?Have you ever wondered what makes up most of the universe? Scientists believe that everything we can see—stars, planets, galaxies—is just a small part of what’s really out there. The rest is made of something invisible called dark matter. It's called "dark" because we can't see it, touch it, or detect it directly with current tools. But we know it exists because it affects the things we can see through gravity.For students in class 8 and above, think of dark matter like air: you can’t see it, but you know it’s there because it moves things around. Just like air helps birds fly and carries sound, dark matter helps galaxies stay together and affects how stars move in space.

How Much of the Universe Is Dark Matter?

According to leading scientists, about 85% of all matter in the universe is dark matter. That means everything we see is just 15%! While it doesn’t emit light or energy, its gravity influences galaxies, stars, and even light itself. That’s how scientists realized it exists in the first place—by studying things that were moving in ways they couldn’t explain without dark matter.

What Are Axions? 

A Leading Dark Matter Candidate.Dark matter is still a big puzzle, but scientists think they’re getting closer to solving it. One of the best guesses is a special kind of particle called an axion. Axions are incredibly small and don’t interact with normal matter, which makes them hard to detect. But scientists believe they may exist in the form of waves, each with a unique frequency, just like sound or radio waves.These frequencies could range from kilohertz (which we can hear) to terahertz (much higher than we can detect naturally). The problem is, we don’t know the exact frequency of these axions—which is where the new breakthrough comes in.

                                        

 Fig 2. Axions 

The Breakthrough: A Cosmic Car Radio to Detect Axions

On May 9, 2025, researchers from King’s College London, Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and others announced in Nature their development of a new device designed to detect axions. They’ve called it a “cosmic car radio” because it works in a similar way—tuning across frequencies to find the signal of dark matter.This device is based on the concept of an Axion Quasiparticle (AQ). It’s a theoretical particle that scientists believe could act like a bridge between dark matter and our instruments. The AQ is built to emit and receive frequencies that might match those of axions. If the device “tunes in” and detects the correct frequency, it could mean we've finally found a direct way to detect dark matter.

The Science Behind the Signal

Think of the AQ like a radio. You turn the knob to find your favorite station. If axions are broadcasting a frequency, this “cosmic radio” could be the way to find it. Once the AQ detects a frequency that matches the axion’s, it will create a reaction that scientists can observe—like tuning into a cosmic message from the dark side of the universe.This discovery wouldn’t just confirm that axions exist—it could open the door to understanding the invisible structure of our universe.

What Could This Mean for the Future of Space and Science?Scientists estimate that we could confirm dark matter detection within the next 15 years using this method. That might sound like a long time, but in the world of astrophysics, it’s lightning fast. This technology could revolutionize our understanding of space, time, gravity, and even the origins of the universe.It also shows how curiosity and imagination drive science forward. When faced with a mystery, humans build tools to explore the unknown—and that’s exactly what this cosmic radio represents.

Conclusion — Unlocking the Hidden Universe

Dark matter may be invisible, but it’s one of the most powerful forces in the universe. With the invention of the cosmic car radio and the theory of axion quasiparticles, we might be closer than ever to understanding what makes up most of our cosmos. The universe is full of secrets—but step by step, science is helping us tune into the frequencies that will unlock them.

FAQs About Dark Matter and Cosmic Detection

Q: What is dark matter made of?

A: Scientists are not sure yet, but axions and WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) are top candidates.

Q: Why can’t we see dark matter?

A: It doesn’t emit or absorb light, so we can’t see it with telescopes. We only detect it through its gravitational effects.

Q: What are axions and why are they important?

A: Axions are tiny particles that could make up dark matter. If proven, they would solve one of physics’ greatest mysteries.

Q: How does the cosmic car radio work?

A: It tunes into a wide range of frequencies to detect signals from axions. When it finds the right frequency, it reacts and signals detection.

Q: When could we finally detect dark matter?

A: Scientists believe that with this new technology, we could make a discovery within the next 15 years.