Probing the Fundamental Nature of Dark Matter with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

TL;DR

This paper advocates for using the LSST to advance understanding of dark matter's fundamental properties through astrophysical observations, complementing other experimental efforts.

Contribution

It summarizes the science case for LSST in probing dark matter's fundamental physics, including particle properties and interactions, and discusses how LSST data will complement other experiments.

Findings

LSST will provide empirical data on dark matter properties.

LSST observations will inform models of dark matter particle mass and interactions.

Complementary to other experimental approaches.

Abstract

Astrophysical and cosmological observations currently provide the only robust, empirical measurements of dark matter. Future observations with Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will provide necessary guidance for the experimental dark matter program. This white paper represents a community effort to summarize the science case for studying the fundamental physics of dark matter with LSST. We discuss how LSST will inform our understanding of the fundamental properties of dark matter, such as particle mass, self-interaction strength, non-gravitational couplings to the Standard Model, and compact object abundances. Additionally, we discuss the ways that LSST will complement other experiments to strengthen our understanding of the fundamental characteristics of dark matter. More information on the LSST dark matter effort can be found at https://lsstdarkmatter.github.io/ .