The cold dark matter content of Galactic dwarf spheroidals: no cores, no failures, no problem

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamical simulations to show that the dark matter content in Galactic dwarf spheroidals aligns with observations, resolving the 'too-big-to-fail' problem without invoking cores in dark matter profiles.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates that realistic baryonic effects and revised observational uncertainties resolve longstanding issues in Lambda-CDM models of dwarf galaxies.

Findings

Simulation results match observed dark matter estimates for brightest dSphs.

Tidal stripping significantly reduces dark matter in some satellites.

No evidence for cores; the 'too-big-to-fail' problem is resolved.

Abstract

We examine the dark matter content of satellite galaxies in Lambda-CDM cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of the Local Group from the APOSTLE project. We find excellent agreement between simulation results and estimates for the 9 brightest Galactic dwarf spheroidals (dSphs) derived from their stellar velocity dispersions and half-light radii. Tidal stripping plays an important role by gradually removing dark matter from the outside in, affecting in particular fainter satellites and systems of larger-than-average size for their luminosity. Our models suggest that tides have significantly reduced the dark matter content of Can Ven I, Sextans, Carina, and Fornax, a prediction that may be tested by comparing them with field galaxies of matching luminosity and size. Uncertainties in observational estimates of the dark matter content of individual dwarfs have been underestimated in the past, at times substantially. We use our improved estimates to revisit the `too-big-to-fail' problem highlighted in earlier N-body work. We reinforce and extend our previous conclusion that the APOSTLE simulations show no sign of this problem. The resolution does not require `cores' in the dark mass profiles, but, rather, relies on revising assumptions and uncertainties in the interpretation of observational data and accounting for `baryon effects' in the theoretical modelling.