PIRSA:15050032

New Physics and Astrophysical Searches for Dark Matter

Profumo, S. (2015). New Physics and Astrophysical Searches for Dark Matter . Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/15050032

Profumo, Stefano. New Physics and Astrophysical Searches for Dark Matter . Perimeter Institute, May. 05, 2015, https://pirsa.org/15050032 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:15050032,
            doi = {10.48660/15050032},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/15050032},
            author = {Profumo, Stefano},
            keywords = {Particle Physics},
            language = {en},
            title = {New Physics and Astrophysical Searches for Dark Matter },
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2015},
            month = {may},
            note = {PIRSA:15050032 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Stefano Profumo

University of California, Santa Cruz

Talk number
PIRSA:15050032
Collection
Talk Type
Subject
Abstract

Can we learn about New Physics with astronomical and astro-particle data? Understanding how this is possible is key to unraveling one of the most pressing mysteries at the interface of cosmology and particle physics: the fundamental, particle nature of the dark matter.
I will discuss some of the recent puzzling findings in astro-particle and astronomical observations that might be related to signals from dark matter. I will first review the status of explanations to the cosmic-ray positron excess, emphasizing how we might be able to discriminate between astrophysical sources and dark matter. 
I will then discuss the evidence for an X-ray line at 3.5 keV, and present new results on systematic effects and on the role of previously underestimated astrophysical lines.
Finally, I will discuss a reported excess of gamma rays from the central regions of the Galaxy.  I will address the question of whether we are possibly observing a signal from dark matter annihilation, how to test this hypothesis, and which astrophysical mechanisms constitute the relevant background.