Ultrahigh-energy neutrinos may come from primordial black holes
Ultrahigh-energy neutrinos detected by IceCube and KM3NeT could originate from primordial black holes.
Why it matters
- Explains the origin of mysterious ultrahigh-energy neutrinos.
- Suggests a link between these neutrinos and dark matter.
By the numbers
- IceCube detected neutrinos with energies above 1 PeV.
- KM3NeT detected a neutrino with 220 PeV, a record-breaking energy.
The big picture
- Primordial black holes, if they exist, could make up a significant fraction of dark matter.
- These black holes would explode after billions of years, releasing ultrahigh-energy particles like neutrinos.
What they're saying
- One comment compares the energy of these neutrinos to the force of a BB gun, highlighting their immense energy despite their tiny mass.
- Another comment seeks clarification on the concept of the "death of black holes."
Caveats
- Primordial black holes are hypothetical; their existence is assumed in this hypothesis.
- The hypothesis needs further testing with future neutrino detections.
What’s next
- Future detections of PeV neutrinos could test the hypothesis.
- If correct, these neutrinos should come preferentially from the Galactic Center.