Probing the Dark Matter Distribution in the Milky Way

探索银河系中的暗物质分布

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-07138
• 负责人: Bozorgnia, Nassim
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: York University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=741617
• 关键词: Probing; Dark; Matter; Distribution; Milky

One of the most exciting puzzles in our understanding of the Universe is the dark matter problem. The ordinary matter in our bodies, planets, and stars makes up only about 15% of the total matter content of the Universe. The mysterious dark matter makes up the other 85%. All evidence for dark matter comes from its gravitational interaction with ordinary matter. However, the nature and distribution of dark matter in the Universe still remain unknown. A variety of experiments, ranging from underground detectors to space observatories, are currently operating around the globe in search of the elusive dark matter particle. Correct interpretation of their results requires a deep understanding of how dark matter is distributed in our Galaxy, yet this knowledge is currently lacking. Hence, significant uncertainties are introduced when analyzing the results of dark matter experiments. To overcome these astrophysical uncertainties, I propose to map the dark matter content in our Galaxy, and employ this map to unravel the particle nature of dark matter. We are living in an exciting era to search for dark matter. The recent data from the Gaia space observatory has revolutionized our understanding of the Milky Way, and can provide us with crucial information on the dark matter distribution. Furthermore, there have been many recent advances in high resolution cosmological simulations of galaxy formation, and they can now produce realistic galaxies. My research aims to capitalize on the availability of these data in order to understand and probe the dark matter distribution in the Milky Way. My proposal has three specific aims that will address the problem of astrophysical uncertainties in dark matter searches. The first aim is to use the results of different high resolution cosmological simulations to extract the dark matter distribution from Milky Way-like galaxies. I will achieve this by identifying simulated galaxies that are similar to the Milky Way, and calculating the number and velocities of their dark matter particles. The second aim is to use new publicly available astronomical data from the Gaia satellite, together with novel numerical techniques, to determine the dark matter distribution in the Milky Way. This will be done by identifying the changes in the position and velocity of stars due to their gravitational interaction with dark matter clumps. The third aim is to identify new ways to probe the dark matter distribution with future directional dark matter detectors. More specifically, I will study how the Earth's motion through the Milky Way can cause most of the dark matter to arrive in our labs from one particular direction. My research program will shed light on the distribution of dark matter in our Galaxy, its mass, and the way it interacts with ordinary matter. It will lead to an accurate interpretation of the results of dark matter experiments, and will allow us to determine the particle physics properties of dark matter.

在我们对宇宙的理解中，最令人兴奋的谜题之一是暗物质问题。我们的身体、行星和恒星中的普通物质只占宇宙总物质含量的15%左右。神秘的暗物质占了其余的85%。暗物质的所有证据都来自于它与普通物质的引力相互作用。然而，宇宙中暗物质的性质和分布仍然未知。各种各样的实验，从地下探测器到太空观测站，目前正在地球仪周围运行，以寻找难以捉摸的暗物质粒子。正确解释他们的结果需要深入了解暗物质在我们银河系中的分布情况，但目前缺乏这方面的知识。因此，在分析暗物质实验的结果时，引入了显著的不确定性。为了克服这些天体物理学的不确定性，我建议绘制银河系中暗物质的含量，并利用这张地图来揭示暗物质的粒子性质。我们生活在一个寻找暗物质的激动人心的时代。最近来自盖亚空间天文台的数据彻底改变了我们对银河系的理解，并可以为我们提供有关暗物质分布的关键信息。此外，最近在星系形成的高分辨率宇宙学模拟方面取得了许多进展，它们现在可以产生真实的星系。我的研究旨在利用这些数据的可用性，以了解和探测银河系中的暗物质分布。我的建议有三个具体目标，将解决暗物质搜索中的天体物理不确定性问题。第一个目标是利用不同的高分辨率宇宙学模拟的结果来提取银河系类星系的暗物质分布。我将通过识别与银河系相似的模拟星系并计算其暗物质粒子的数量和速度来实现这一目标。第二个目标是使用来自盖亚卫星的新的公开天文数据，以及新的数值技术，来确定银河系中的暗物质分布。这将通过确定恒星的位置和速度的变化来完成，因为它们与暗物质团块的引力相互作用。第三个目标是确定新的方法来探测暗物质分布与未来的定向暗物质探测器。更具体地说，我将研究地球在银河系中的运动如何导致大部分暗物质从一个特定的方向到达我们的实验室。我的研究计划将揭示暗物质在我们银河系中的分布，它的质量以及它与普通物质相互作用的方式。它将导致对暗物质实验结果的准确解释，并使我们能够确定暗物质的粒子物理特性。