Dark Stars: the First Stars in the Universe may be powered by Dark Matter Heating

TL;DR

This paper reviews the concept of Dark Stars, the first stars in the universe powered by dark matter annihilation instead of nuclear fusion, highlighting a novel stellar phase driven by dark matter heating.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that the first stars could be powered by dark matter annihilation, a new perspective on early star formation and stellar evolution.

Findings

Dark matter annihilation can provide sufficient heat to power early stars.

Dark Stars represent a new stellar phase driven by dark matter rather than fusion.

This research opens new avenues for understanding the universe's first luminous objects.

Abstract

A new line of research on Dark Stars is reviewed, which suggests that the first stars to exist in the universe were powered by dark matter heating rather than by fusion. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, which may be there own antipartmers, collect inside the first stars and annihilate to produce a heat source that can power the stars. A new stellar phase results, a Dark Star, powered by dark matter annihilation as long as there is dark matter fuel.