Closing in on the Fermi Line with a New Observation Strategy

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new observational strategy to improve the detection and verification of a potential dark matter spectral line in the inner Galaxy, aiming to resolve current uncertainties and systematics.

Contribution

It introduces a modified survey approach that more than doubles data collection in the inner Galaxy, enhancing the ability to distinguish true signals from systematics.

Findings

Proposed strategy increases data rate significantly.

Enhanced data will clarify the existence of the spectral line.

Strategy enables better systematics checks with limb data.

Abstract

Evidence for a spectral line in the inner Galaxy has caused a great deal of excitement over the last year, mainly because of its interpretation as a possible dark matter signal. The observation has raised important questions about statistics and suspicions about systematics, especially in photons from the Earth limb. With enough additional data, we can address these concerns. In this white paper, we summarize the current observational situation and project future sensitivities, finding that the status quo is dangerously close to leaving the issue unresolved until 2015. We advocate a change in survey strategy that more than doubles the data rate in the inner Galaxy, and is relatively non-disruptive to other survey science. This strategy will clearly separate the null hypothesis from the line signal hypothesis and provide ample limb data for systematics checks by the end of 2014. The standard survey mode may not.