Astrophysical and cosmological probes of dark matter

TL;DR

This paper reviews various astrophysical and cosmological methods used to detect and understand dark matter, emphasizing its gravitational effects across different cosmic scales.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of all observational probes used to gather evidence for dark matter's existence.

Findings

Dark matter influences galaxy rotation curves.

Gravitational lensing reveals dark matter distribution.

Cosmic microwave background supports dark matter presence.

Abstract

Dark matter has been introduced to explain mass deficits noted at different astronomical scales, in galaxies, groups of galaxies, clusters, superclusters and even across the full horizon. Dark matter makes itself felt only through its gravitational effects. This review summarizes phenomenologically all the astrophysical and cosmological probes that have been used to give evidence for its existence.