**Astronomers Suggest an Innovative New Method to Detect Primordial Black Holes**

**Bang!**

Astronomers hypothesize that in the earliest moments of the universe, specifically within its first second, the initial black holes may have formed. These tiny yet extraordinarily dense entities — visualize something akin to an atom but with the weight of a mountain — are referred to as “primordial black holes.” Nevertheless, a significant hurdle remains: no definitive proof of their existence has been uncovered.

Currently, scientists are putting forth a revolutionary notion: the evidence could be found right here on our planet.

In a recent publication in the journal *Physics of the Dark Universe*, researchers suggest that primordial black holes might have left detectable remnants in the shape of microscopic tunnels. Such tunnels could potentially be located in hollowed-out materials beyond our planet, like asteroids. Though the chances of discovering these micro-tunnels on Earth are slim, they might be concealed in everyday materials, such as rocks, glass, or metal — particularly in older structures.

“The hardest part to see is what is right in front of you,” remarked Dejan Stojkovic, a physics professor at the University at Buffalo and coauthor of the study, in an interview with *Mashable*.

### The Enigma of Primordial Black Holes

Black holes possess a level of density that is nearly unfathomable. For instance, if Earth were to be compressed into a black hole, it would condense to less than an inch wide. Currently, black holes are typically produced when massive stars undergo collapses, often after powerful supernova explosions. These cosmic phenomena are far from uncommon — it’s estimated that there are around 100 million rogue black holes wandering within the Milky Way Galaxy alone.

However, identifying the first black holes in the universe has been a challenging task. Large black holes can be spotted using telescopes because they draw in significant amounts of matter, which radiates energy as it revolves rapidly around them. In contrast, primordial black holes are much smaller and do not attract enough matter to generate detectable energy. Moreover, black holes are theorized to release Hawking radiation — a type of energy that should be particularly strong in smaller black holes — but this has yet to be observed. Despite these difficulties, physicists remain optimistic about the existence of primordial black holes.

“While direct observational evidence for small black holes is still not present, our theories regarding the early universe indicate that they should be produced generically without requiring any exotic physics,” Stojkovic elucidated.

### An Unconventional Search on Earth

To address this mystery, Stojkovic and his team propose a unique strategy: employing microscopes to locate minute tunnels on Earth that might have been formed by primordial black holes. These tunnels would resemble the trajectory of a bullet piercing through a sheet of glass. Older materials, particularly those from ancient structures, present the highest probability of discovery since they have existed longer and had more time to be influenced by a black hole.

This method is also budget-friendly. Creating a new, highly sensitive astrophysical detector can demand millions or even billions of dollars, rendering it a competitive and costly venture within the scientific realm. Conversely, analyzing existing materials for microscopic tunnels represents a far less expensive undertaking.

“Investigating old materials for microscopic tunnels should cost only a tiny fraction of the expense associated with constructing a dedicated astrophysical detector,” Stojkovic noted. “Any location on Earth is equally likely to encounter a small black hole.”

While the chances of encountering such a tunnel are “extremely slim,” Stojkovic acknowledged, the potential scientific reward could be monumental. He compared the search to the quest for magnetic monopoles — another rare, theoretical particle — which researchers chase with pricey detectors. Though it’s a tough pursuit, uncovering such phenomena would transform our comprehension of the universe.

### Exploring Beyond Earth

While locating evidence of a primordial black hole on Earth would be thrilling, the researchers also recommend looking beyond our planet within the solar system. Smaller celestial bodies, like moons or asteroids with liquid cores, could serve as promising targets. Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, for instance, has a liquid core. A primordial black hole interacting with such an object could harness its formidable gravitational force to consume the core, resulting in a hollow shell.

The researchers have determined that such a hollow object must not exceed approximately one-tenth of Earth’s radius (around 400 miles) or it would collapse under its own weight. Telescopes might be able to detect these hollow structures by examining their movement and mass. If an object’s density appears too low for its size, it could suggest that it is hollow.

“If the object’s density is insufficient for its size, that strongly indicates it’s hollow,” Stojkovic stated in a release from the University at Buffalo.

### Thinking Creatively

These concepts are certainly unorthodox, yet the persistent search for primordial black holes may necessitate such imaginative approaches. When questioned if anyone had previously tried to investigate micro-tunnels on Earth, Stojkov