Search for Dark Matter from Dwarf Galaxies using VERITAS

TL;DR

This paper reports on the search for dark matter signatures through very high energy gamma-ray observations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies using the VERITAS telescope array, aiming to detect signals of WIMP annihilation or decay.

Contribution

It presents new observational results from VERITAS targeting five dwarf spheroidal galaxies to search for dark matter signals, expanding the empirical data in this field.

Findings

No significant gamma-ray excess detected from the observed dSphs.

Constraints placed on WIMP annihilation cross-section based on non-detections.

Improved limits on dark matter particle properties from VHE gamma-ray observations.

Abstract

In the cosmological paradigm, cold dark matter (DM) dominates the mass content of the Universe and is present at every scale. Candidates for DM include many extensions of the standard model, such as weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) in the mass range from $\sim$10 GeV to greater than 10 TeV. The self-annihilation or decay of WIMPs in astrophysical regions of high DM density can produce secondary particles including very high energy (VHE) gamma rays with energy up to the DM particle mass. VERITAS, an array of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, sensitive to VHE gamma rays in the 85 GeV-30 TeV energy range, has been utilized for the search for this DM signature. The astrophysical objects considered to be candidates for indirect DM detection by VERITAS are dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) of the Local Group and the Galactic Center, among others. This presentation reports on the observations of five dSphs, and the results from a joint DM search from these objects.