The search for galactic dark matter clump candidates with Fermi and MAGIC

TL;DR

This paper systematically searches for galactic dark matter clumps using Fermi data, identifies promising candidates, and reports on MAGIC telescope observations, highlighting the importance of multiwavelength approaches in indirect dark matter detection.

Contribution

It introduces a method combining Fermi and MAGIC data to identify and study potential dark matter clumps in our Galaxy for the first time.

Findings

Identification of promising dark matter candidate sources

Successful MAGIC observations of two candidates

Emphasis on multiwavelength synergy in dark matter searches

Abstract

We present a systematic search for potential dark matter clumps in our Galaxy among the 630 unassociated sources included in the LAT 1-year Point Source Catalog. Assuming a dark matter particle that generates observable gamma-ray photons beyond the Fermi energy range through self-annihilation, we compile a list of reasonable targets for the MAGIC Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes. In order to narrow down the origin of these enigmatic sources, we summarize ongoing multiwavelength studies including X-ray, radio, and optical spectroscopy. We report on observations of two of these candidates using the MAGIC Telescopes. We find that the synergy between Fermi and Cherenkov telescopes, along with multiwavelength observations, could play a key role in indirect searches for dark matter.