title: Dark matter and the first stars: a new phase of stellar evolution.
abstract: A mechanism is identified whereby dark matter (DM) in protostellar halos dramatically alters the current theoretical framework for the formation of the first stars. Heat from neutralino DM annihilation is shown to overwhelm any cooling mechanism, consequently impeding the star formation process and possibly leading to a new stellar phase. A "dark star" may result: a giant ( greater, similar 1 AU) hydrogen-helium star powered by DM annihilation instead of nuclear fusion. Observational consequences are discussed.
authors: Physics Dept., University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA. dspolyar@physics.ucsc.edu
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Spolyar
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Freese
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gondolo