Dark matter searches with asteroseismology

TL;DR

This paper explores how asteroseismology can be used to detect and constrain properties of dark matter by analyzing its effects on stellar evolution and oscillation data from stars like Alpha Cen B.

Contribution

It demonstrates that dark matter influences stellar evolution, and reviews how asteroseismic data constrains dark matter particle properties, proposing future observational prospects.

Findings

Dark matter accumulation reduces stellar core temperatures.

Asteroseismic data constrains dark matter particle characteristics.

Future space missions can improve dark matter detection via stars.

Abstract

High-precision asteroseismic data provides an excellent opportunity to test theories of stellar evolution and new physics, such as the properties of the dark matter (DM) of the Universe. Here we will show that some models of DM lead to changes in the classical scenario of stellar evolution. The accumulation of DM in the core of low-mass stars reduces their central temperatures and inhibits the formation of small convective cores in 1.1-1.3 Ms stars. We review the asteroseismic constraints that have been set to the characteristics of the DM particles, obtained comparing the oscillations of the star Alpha Cen B with modified stellar models. To conclude, we discuss the prospects to use CoRoT and Kepler data on main-sequence stars and red giants to further constrain the nature of DM.