Satellite galaxies
The population of small satellite galaxies that orbit the Milky Way can be affected by the particle nature of dark matter. As one example, we showed that ultralight wave-like dark matter can affect the dynamical friction felt by satellite galaxies. Another important example arises when the dark matter is not collisionless, but rather interacts with itself. In this case, the amount of mass lost along the satellite’s orbit will be impacted, potentially leading to observable consequences. We are using simulations and semi-analytic tools to improve modeling of satellite populations under varying assumptions of the dark matter physics to make concrete predictions for current and upcoming surveys.
[Image Credit: ESO/Andrew Z. Colvin/N. Bartmann]