Mysterious anomalies in Earth's atmosphere and strongly interacting Dark Matter

Abstract: It has been recently argued in \cite{Bertolucci:2016xjm, Zioutas:2020ndf, Zioutas:2023ybw} that numerous enigmatic observations remain challenging to explain within the framework of conventional physics. These anomalies include unexpected correlations between temperature variations in the stratosphere, the total electron content of the Earth's atmosphere, and earthquake activity on one hand, and the positions of planets on the other. Decades of collected data provide statistically significant evidence for these observed correlations. The work in \cite{Bertolucci:2016xjm, Zioutas:2020ndf, Zioutas:2023ybw} suggests that these correlations arise from strongly interacting streaming invisible matter'' which gets gravitationally focused by the solar system bodies including the Earth's inner mass distribution. Here, we propose that some of these, as well as other anomalies, may be explained by rare yet energetic events involving the so-called axion quark nuggets (AQNs) impacting the Earth. In other words, we identify thestreaming invisible matter'' conjectured in \cite{Bertolucci:2016xjm, Zioutas:2020ndf, Zioutas:2023ybw} with AQNs, offering a concrete microscopic mechanism to elucidate the observed correlations. It is important to note that the AQN model was originally developed to address the observed similarity between the dark matter and visible matter densities in the Universe \cite{Zhitnitsky:2002qa, Zhitnitsky:2021iwg}, i.e., $\Omega_{\rm DM} \sim \Omega_{\rm visible}$ and not explain the anomalies discussed here. Nonetheless, we support our proposal by demonstrating that the intensity and spectral characteristics of AQN-induced events are consistent with the aforementioned puzzling observations.

• The paper proposes a novel connection between stratospheric temperature peaks and TEC anomalies with interactions from Axion Quark Nuggets (AQNs).
• It identifies unusual correlations between planetary alignments, atmospheric ionization, and seismic events that challenge conventional physics.
• It emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary monitoring and global detector networks to empirically test the dark matter hypothesis.

Overview of "Mysterious Anomalies in Earth's Atmosphere and Strongly Interacting Dark Matter"

This paper, authored by Ariel Zhitnitsky, addresses peculiar correlations and phenomena observed in Earth's atmosphere that are not readily explicable by established physics. Zhitnitsky proposes a novel theoretical interpretation that these anomalies might be connected to interactions with a form of dark matter known as Axion Quark Nuggets (AQNs).

Key Observations and Hypotheses

The central hypothesis in the study is the identification of certain anomalies in stratospheric temperatures, ionospheric electron content, as well as seismic and planetary position correlations as potential manifestations of AQNs. The paper utilizes prior investigations which suggest these atmospheric anomalies have no clear explanation within the framework of conventional physics and might stem from the interaction of "streaming invisible matter" with Earth's atmosphere.

1. Stratospheric Temperature Variations: The study highlights unexpected temperature peaks observed systematically in the stratosphere during December-January each year since 1986. These peaks occur at altitudes between 38.5 km and 47.5 km. The anomalies defy conventional interpretations tied to solar activity due to their timing and location.
2. Planetary Alignments: Observations have reported a correlation between these atmospheric anomalies and planetary positions, an assertion that appears without any immediate physical rationale in traditional atmospheric or astronomical theories.
3. Total Electron Content (TEC) Anomalies: Large variations in TEC, which measures atmospheric ionization, were observed to correlate with planetary alignments directly. This ionization anomaly cannot be sufficiently explained by Earth-Sun distance changes or seasonal effects alone.
4. Ionosphere-Earthquake Correlations: A correlation is noted between periods of high TEC levels and increased seismic activity, specifically large earthquakes (magnitude 8 and above), providing yet another layer of unexplained atmospheric interaction.

Axion Quark Nugget Model

The crux of Zhitnitsky's proposal is associating the unidentified atmospheric molecular phenomena with AQNs, a form of dark matter theorized for their ability to interact strongly under certain conditions.

• Characteristics of AQNs: Originally conceptualized to resolve the discrepancy between visible matter and dark matter densities in the Universe, AQNs comprise dense quark matter enveloped by a crust of axions. These entities behave like "chameleons" - typically non-interactive in space but capable of significant interaction upon entering planetary atmospheres.
• Energy Release: When AQNs enter Earth's atmosphere, their interactions with regular matter can release large amounts of energy, specifically upon annihilation, thereby potentially explaining observed temperature and ionization phenomena.

Implications and Future Directions

The proposed connection offers new avenues for testing through atmospheric and seismic monitoring. By positing AQNs as the source of these anomalies, Zhitnitsky not only suggests a potential resolution to these atmospheric puzzles but conversely opens a new field of inquiry into the properties and behaviors of dark matter.

In future developments, the research community might consider collaborative, interdisciplinary observation efforts aimed at gathering further empirical evidence involving large-area detection and sensitive instrumentation to examine anomalous atmospheric events. This could include the deployment of synchronized global detector networks designed to respond to anomalous energetic particles or wave events. By targeting specific predicted effects of AQNs, such as those outlined in this hypothesis, concrete empirical tests could substantiate or challenge this dark matter model in resolving Earth's atmospheric anomalies.