Modern astronomy is trying to solve the mysteries of the universe, and one of the most intriguing phenomena is primordial black holes. These mysterious objects formed on the stars of the universe can significantly affect star systems. A recently published paper by astronomers from the University of Oklahoma sheds light on the interaction of primordial black holes with star systems and proposes new methods for their detection.

Their immense gravity can wreak havoc on star systems. They can disrupt their orbits and transfer energy into large binaries. This can lead to extreme consequences, such as stars being ejected from their own systems.

It has been suggested that black holes may have formed in the early moments after the Big Bang. They are formed by the collapse of supermassive stars and are formed by fluctuations in the density of matter. Regions of high density collapse under their own gravity to form objects called primordial black holes (PBLs). Their sizes are believed to range from subatomic to more powerful than the Sun.

Whether primordial black holes are truly responsible for the dark matter in the universe is still a matter of debate. It is generally accepted in the astronomical community that they cannot account for all of the dark matter, but they are likely responsible for 10% of the dark matter in the planetary mass range (10-7 to 10-3 solar masses). Further analysis is needed to answer the question of whether PCDs are responsible for some of the dark matter in the universe.

If we take into account the large scale, we see that PCDs are not different from the background of dark matter particles. On the small scale, the distribution of PCDs is uneven in the universe compared to the background of dark matter particles, and therefore scientists are forced to look for a new theory. It is difficult to observe PCDs to understand how close the model is to reality, but it is possible to study their interactions with star systems.

A paper published on the arXiv preprint server by Badal Bhalla of the University of Oklahoma and a team of astronomers explores how PZDs can lose energy when they interact with binary star systems. These interactions can lead to one of five possible scenarios: solidification (two bound objects transfer energy to a third object, causing their separation force to decrease), softening (the free body transfers energy to the bound system, causing them to separate but remain bound), rupture (the free body transfers enough energy to the bound system so that the components become independent and not all objects remain bound), capture (relatively bound objects capture a free object), or swap (a free object transfers enough energy to release one of the bound objects, while losing enough energy to bond with the remaining object).

Previous studies have examined softening and collapse in PBHs and binary interactions, as in the catch-up model. The team suggests that strengthening is also unlikely and therefore explored the possibility of a change model.

The team found that the exchange model should lead to a population of binary PCDs in the Milky Way, and indeed some observations suggest they may exist. The team also predicts that it should be possible to detect PCDs in subsolar-mass PCD binaries based on system properties.

The discovery of PCD in a binary system may be possible and could confirm the findings to some extent. Observations are now needed to confirm the model. Astronomers hope that further research will help shed light on the mystery of primordial black holes and their role in the universe.