A new force in the Dark Sector?

Glennys Farrar ( NYU ) - Nov. 13
PPT at 12:00 noon

The dynamics of dark matter is studied using the massive cluster of galaxies 1E0657-56. The velocity of the ``bullet" subcluster has been measured by X-ray emission from the shock front, and the masses and separation of the main and sub-clusters have been measured by gravitational lensing. The velocity with gravity alone is calculated in a variety of models of the initial conditions, mass distribution and accretion history; it is much higher than expected, by at least 2.4 sigma. The probability of so large a subcluster velocity in cosmological simulations is, following Hayashi and White, <10^{-7}. A long range force with strength ~ 0.4 - 0.8 times that of gravity would provide the needed additional acceleration.

The seminar will be held in 544 Campbell Hall.


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