Overview of the ESCAPE Dark Matter Test Science Project for astronomers

TL;DR

The ESCAPE project bridges particle physics and astrophysics to better understand dark matter by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Contribution

The ESCAPE project develops tools to connect dark matter particle physics with astrophysical observations.

Findings

ESCAPE has developed tools to help constrain dark matter properties from a particle physics perspective.

The project promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to better interpret dark matter evidence.

Applications of ESCAPE tools are being integrated into existing experiments for complementary astrophysical analysis.

Abstract

The search for dark matter has been ongoing for decades within both astrophysics and particle physics. Both fields have employed different approaches and conceived a variety of methods for constraining the properties of dark matter, but have done so in relative isolation of one another. From an astronomer's perspective, it can be challenging to interpret the results of dark matter particle physics experiments and how these results apply to astrophysical scales. Over the past few years, the ESCAPE Dark Matter Test Science Project has been developing tools to aid the particle physics community in constraining dark matter properties; however, ESCAPE itself also aims to foster collaborations between research disciplines. This is especially important in the search for dark matter, as while particle physics is concerned with detecting the particles themselves, all of the evidence for its existence lies solely within astrophysics and cosmology. Here, we present a short review of the progress made by the Dark Matter Test Science Project and their applications to existing experiments, with a view towards how this project can foster complementary with astrophysical observations.