Dark matter searches in dwarf spheroidal galaxies with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Abstract

Dark matter (DM) is one of the major components in the Universe. However, at present its existence is still only inferred through indirect astronomical observations. DM particles can annihilate or decay, producing final-state Standard Model pairs that subsequently annihilate into high-energy 𝛾rays. The dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) in the Milky Way DM halo have long been considered optimal targets to search for annihilating DM signatures in GeV-to-TeV 𝛾-ray spectra due to their high DM densities (hence high astrophysical factors), as well as the expected absence of intrinsic * Speaker