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Abstract We derive purely gravitational constraints on dark matter and cosmic neutrino profiles in the solar system using asteroid (101955) Bennu. We focus on Bennu because of its extensive tracking data and high-fidelity trajectory modeling resulting from the OSIRIS-REx mission. We find that the local density of dark matter is bound byρDM ≲ 3.3 × 10-15 kg/m3 ≃ 6 × 106 ρ̅DM, in the vicinity of ∼ 1.1 au (where ρ̅DM ≃ 0.3 GeV/cm3). We show that high-precision tracking data of solar system objects can constrain cosmic neutrino overdensities relative to the Standard Model prediction n̅ν, at the level ofη ≡ nν/n̅ν ≲ 1.7 × 1011(0.1 eV/mν) (Saturn), comparable to the existing bounds from KATRIN and other previous laboratory experiments (withmνthe neutrino mass). These local bounds have interesting implications for existing and future direct-detection experiments. Our constraints apply to all dark matter candidates but are particularly meaningful for scenarios including solar halos, stellar basins, and axion miniclusters, which predict overdensities in the solar system. Furthermore, introducing a DM-SM long-range fifth force with a strength α̃Dtimes stronger than gravity, Bennu can set a constraint onρDM ≲ ρ̅DM(6 × 106/α̃D). These constraints can be improved in the future as the accuracy of tracking data improves, observational arcs increase, and more missions visit asteroids.
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This content will become publicly available on December 1, 2025
Constraints on fifth forces and ultralight dark matter from OSIRIS-REx target asteroid Bennu
Abstract It is important to test the possible existence of fifth forces, as ultralight bosons that would mediate these are predicted to exist in several well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model. Recent work indicated asteroids as promising probes, but applications to real data are lacking so far. Here we use the OSIRIS-REx mission and ground-based tracking data for the asteroid Bennu to derive constraints on fifth forces. Our limits are strongest for mediator massesm ~ (10−18-10−17) eV, where we currently achieve the tightest bounds. These can be translated to a wide class of models leading to Yukawa-type fifth forces, and we demonstrate how they apply toU(1)Bdark photons and baryon-coupled scalars. Our results demonstrate the potential of asteroid tracking in probing well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model and ultralight bosons near the fuzzy dark matter range.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2210283
- PAR ID:
- 10612091
- Publisher / Repository:
- Nature
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Communications Physics
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2399-3650
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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