Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy

Details Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy

1997-09-23

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9709220v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

18 pages of text (LaTeX, AASTeX) with 12 figures. submitted to the Astrophysical Journal

Scientific paper

10.1086/306050

We conduct gravitational microlensing experiments in a galaxy taken from a cosmological N-body simulation. Hypothetical observers measure the optical depth and event rate toward hypothetical LMCs and compare their results with model predictions. Since we control the accuracy and sophistication of the model, we can determine how good it has to be for statistical errors to dominate over systematic ones. Several thousand independent microlensing experiments are performed. When the ``best-fit'' triaxial model for the mass distribution of the halo is used, the agreement between the measured and predicted optical depths is quite good: by and large the discrepancies are consistent with statistical fluctuations. If, on the other hand, a spherical model is used, systematic errors dominate. Even with our ``best-fit'' model, there are a few rare experiments where the deviation between the measured and predicted optical depths cannot be understood in terms of statistical fluctuations. In these experiments there is typically a clump of particles crossing the line of sight to the hypothetical LMC. These clumps can be either gravitationally bound systems or transient phenomena in a galaxy that is still undergoing phase mixing. Substructure of this type, if present in the Galactic distribution of Machos, can lead to large systematic errors in the analysis of microlensing experiments. We also describe how hypothetical WIMP and axion detection experiments might be conducted in a simulated N-body galaxy.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Searching for Machos (and other Dark Matter Candidates) in a Simulated Galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-503870