The culprit for the termination of Mars’ magnetic field: Dark Matter
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
The reason for a significant change in the heat flux of the interior of Mars, leading to the termination of its magnetic dynamo, is not yet known. We present the idea that interaction of dark matter particles with the elements constituting the core of Mars is the cause for this significant heat flux change. We include resonant enhancements in the determining of the capture rate of dark matter particles by a planet, using more recent formulations. The exclusion limits for the interaction cross-sections in our work are more stringent than previous limits. We demonstrate, using Xenon1T limits, that the density of dark matter in our solar neighbourhood is insufficient to induce significant heating. However, encounters with low-mass ultra-compact mini-halos or very massive conventional sub-halos could both produce significant heating effects within terrestrial planets. We find that in 1 Gyr, there is a possibility of up to ∼ 860 interactions of Mars with an ultra-compact mini-halo, that would have the sufficient density and mass to alter the workings of the convective core of Mars, such that it would lead to the cessation of
the Martian geodynamo. The interaction of Earth with these halos would not result in the cessation of its magnetic field due to mechanisms such as tectonic activity, crust recycling and the subsequent motion of molten iron in its outer core, which result in the continuous functioning of the geodynamo
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Science to the Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2024
Keywords
Dark Matter, WIMP, Geodynamo, UCTD
Citation
Makda, Javeria. (2024). The culprit for the termination of Mars’ magnetic field: Dark Matter [Master’s dissertation , University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/42107