A mechanism is identified whereby dark matter (DM) in protostellar halos
alters the current theoretical framework for the formation of the first
stars. Heat from the annihilation of the lightest supersymmetric
DM particles is shown to overwhelm any cooling mechanism, consequently
impeding the star formation process and possibly leading to a new stellar
phase. A "dark star" may result: a giant (>~ 1 AU)
hydrogen-helium star powered by DM annihilation instead of nuclear
fusion, and detectable via annihilation products
(gamma-rays, neutrinos, antimatter).
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