Possible evidence for MeV dark matter in dwarf spheroidals.
The observed 511 keV emission from the galactic bulge could be due to very light (MeV) annihilating dark matter particles. To distinguish this hypothesis from conventional astrophysical sources, we study dwarf spheroidals in the region observed by the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory/SPI such as Sagittarius. As these galaxies have comparatively few stars, the prospects for 511 keV emission from standard astrophysical scenarios are minimal. The dwarf spheroidals do, however, contain copious amounts of dark matter. The observation of 511 keV emission from Sagittarius should be a "smoking gun" for MeV dark matter.
Hooper
Dan
D
Astrophysics Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Ferrer
Francesc
F
Boehm
Céline
C
Silk
Joseph
J
Paul
Jacques
J
Evans
N Wyn
NW
Casse
Michel
M