Studying outer space has long been compared to wearing a blindfold: scientists can only see a fraction of the universe visible to powerful telescopes. But recent data indicates that the blindfold may shortly be removed through use of a sophisticated spectrometer that studies particles instead of light.

Researchers at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, recently published a study compiling data from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) indicating that the detector has observed possible dark matter particles.

The AMS, aboard the International Space Station since 2011, detects subatomic particles that constantly bombard our planet. The spectrometer detected antimatter particles resulting from dark matter collisions that split atoms into electrons and positrons.

Dark matter collisions result in rare positrons, which are similar to electrons but have a positive charge. These positrons are frequently combined with protons and electrons to form cosmic rays. AMS has observed 41 billion cosmic rays and detected that 10 million of them were composed of the electron-positron bundle.

While scientists aren’t completely sure that positrons are produced by dark matter collisions, it’s the reigning theory at this time. “It may come from high-energy phenomena somewhere in our universe. But what?” asked CERN spokesman Arnaud Marsollier. “Pulsars? Supernovas?”

CERN researchers currently believe that only 4% of the universe is visible to modern technology. 70% is thought to be composed of dark energy, with dark matter as most of the remainder.

Since AMS detects particles instead of light, it can observe different aspects of space that are not visible to modern telescopes. This makes it a valuable tool for determining the universe’s composition.

Dark matter has not been directly observed and is still a theory, but CERN’s study with AMS data indicates that science may shortly be able to detect and measure the amount of dark matter in the universe. For believers in dark matter, it’s a step in the right direction.