Dark Matter Dominated Galaxies
(This is mi intro paragraph for Multidark, lead at the IAC by Jorge Martin Camalich)
We are using dwarf galaxies to constraint the nature of DM. ‘Cold' DM (CDM) numerical simulations predict mass profiles with a central cusp that is not observed. The CDM paradigm copes with this discrepancy invoking baryon feedback, that transforms the CDM cusp into the observed core. This process becomes inoperative for galaxies with stellar mass smaller than 10**6 Msun. We will search these galaxies for the presence of cores or cusps. Although technically very challenging, this can be achieved though the study of the stellar mass distribution after proving that stars trace DM in these systems. If cores are present in these galaxies the DM is not ‘Cold’.
- Thanks to the collaboration with Angel Plastino, we know that stars trace DM in these low-mass galaxies. (Work in progress.)
- Thanks to the collaboration with Nacho Trujillo, there will be plenty of dwarf galaxies with good-enough photometry to try. (Work in progress.)