Internal kinematics and dynamical models of dwarf spheroidal galaxies around the Milky Way

TL;DR

This paper reviews the internal kinematics and dynamical models of Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies, emphasizing their role in testing dark matter theories and cosmological models.

Contribution

It synthesizes recent observational data and dynamical techniques to better understand dark matter distribution in dwarf spheroidals and discusses implications for cosmology.

Findings

Dark matter dominates dwarf spheroidal galaxies

Kinematic data constrains mass distribution

Dynamical models inform cosmological theories

Abstract

We review our current understanding of the internal dynamical properties of the dwarf spheroidal galaxies surrounding the Milky Way. These are the most dark matter dominated galaxies, and as such may be considered ideal laboratories to test the current concordance cosmological model, and in particular provide constraints on the nature of the dominant form of dark matter. We discuss the latest observations of the kinematics of stars in these systems, and how these may be used to derive their mass distribution. We tour through the various dynamical techniques used, with emphasis on the complementarity and limitations, and discuss what the results imply also in the context of cosmological models. Finally we provide an outlook on exciting developments in this field.