Dark Matter Could Help Solve Sun Mystery

Dark matter may be one of the greatest mysteries of the universe, but it could help solve a puzzle about the sun that has been baffling scientists for years, researchers say.

The mystery has to do with a seeming discrepancy in the composition of the sun, which experiences sound waves that zip around inside it and cause tiny rhythmic fluctuations in its brightness. By studying this flickering, scientists can better understand its composition and internal activity. This scientific field — known as helioseismology when it refers to the study of the sun, and asteroseismology when it refers to that of stars — is akin to seismology on Earth, which helps geologists yield insights into the innards of this planet.