A counter-top search for macroscopic dark matter

Understand

A number of dark matter candidates have been discussed that are macroscopic, of approximately nuclear density, and scatter ordinary matter essentially elastically with approximately their geometric cross-section.

• A wide range of mass and geometric cross-section is still unprobed for these "macros." Macros passing through rock would melt the material in cylinders surrounding their long nearly straight trajectories.
• Once cooled, the resolidified rock would be easily distinguishable from its surroundings.
• We discuss how, by visually examining ordinary slabs of rock such as are widely available commercially for kitchen countertops, one could probe an interesting segment of the open macro parameter space.