Reconsidering seismological constraints on the available parameter space of macroscopic dark matter

TL;DR

This paper reevaluates lunar seismological constraints on macroscopic dark matter, revealing that previous limits are overly restrictive and that many candidate macro densities remain viable.

Contribution

It provides a more detailed analysis of seismic wave generation by macros, showing that current seismological data exclude fewer macro candidates than previously thought.

Findings

Seismic wave wavelengths are longer than macro diameters.

Current lunar seismology does not exclude macros with nuclear density.

Previous constraints on macro parameter space are significantly weakened.

Abstract

Using lunar seismological data, constraints have been proposed on the available parameter space of macroscopic dark matter (macros). We show that actual limits are considerably weaker by considering in greater detail the mechanism through which macro impacts generate detectable seismic waves, which have wavelengths considerably longer than the diameter of the macro. We show that the portion of the macro parameter space that can be ruled out by current seismological evidence is considerably smaller than previously reported, and specifically that candidates with greater than or equal to nuclear density are not excluded by lunar seismology.