Search for Warm Dark Matter with Suzaku Observations of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies
Abstract
We have observed the Ursa Minor and Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxies with the Suzaku X-ray observatory to search for X-ray spectral lines emitted by radiatively decaying warm dark matter (e.g., sterile neutrinos). These dense, dark-matter-dominated systems are the strongest potential sources of line emission from radiatively decaying keV dark matter of any astrophysical object. The low-level, stable background of the Suzaku CCD detectors makes it the most sensitive instrument to-date for this purpose. At the very least, constraints that enter a significant new regime may be derived. In the best case, the long sought-after identity of dark matter will be discovered, pointing the way to physics beyond the Standard Model. We present upper limits based on our preliminary analysis, and summarize the prospects for sharpening these constraints or detecting a signal below
the present limits.- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #10
- Pub Date:
- March 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008HEAD...10.2906L