On asymmetric dark matter constraints from the asteroseismology of a subgiant star

TL;DR

This study uses asteroseismology of a subgiant star to constrain asymmetric dark matter properties, introducing a new method that compares models with and without dark matter against observational data, providing complementary limits to direct detection experiments.

Contribution

The paper presents the first analysis of asymmetric dark matter effects on a subgiant star's evolution using a novel stellar calibration approach incorporating dark matter as a free parameter.

Findings

Models without dark matter outperform those with certain dark matter parameters.

Asteroseismic observables can set exclusion limits on dark matter properties.

The method offers a new way to complement direct detection constraints.

Abstract

The asteroseismic modelling of solar-like stars has proved to be valuable in constraining dark matter. In this work we study for the first time the influence of asymmetric dark matter (ADM) in the evolution of a subgiant star (KIC 8228742) by direct comparison with observational data. Both spectroscopic and seismic data are analysed with a new approach to the stellar calibration method, in which DM properties can also be considered as free inputs. In another phase of this study, a calibrated standard stellar model (without DM) is used as the benchmark for DM models. We find that the latter models consistently outperform the former for $10^{-40} \leq \sigma_\mathrm{SD} < 10^{-38}$ cm$^2$, hinting that the presence of ADM in stars of this type does not go against observations. Moreover, we show that stellar seismology allows us to suggest exclusion limits that complement the constraints set by direct detection experiments. Different seismic observables are proposed to study DM properties and $\Delta\Pi_\ell$ is found to be the most reliable, having the potential to build future DM exclusion diagrams. This new methodology can be a powerful tool in the analysis of the data coming from the next generation of asteroseismic missions.