32 research outputs found
A lower limit on the dark particle mass from dSphs
We use dwarf spheroidal galaxies as a tool to attempt to put precise lower
limits on the mass of the dark matter particle, assuming it is a sterile
neutrino. We begin by making cored dark halo fits to the line of sight velocity
dispersions as a function of projected radius (taken from Walker et al. 2007)
for six of the Milky Way's dwarf spheroidal galaxies. We test Osipkov-Merritt
velocity anisotropy profiles, but find that no benefit is gained over constant
velocity anisotropy. In contrast to previous attempts, we do not assume any
relation between the stellar velocity dispersions and the dark matter ones, but
instead we solve directly for the sterile neutrino velocity dispersion at all
radii by using the equation of state for a partially degenerate neutrino gas
(which ensures hydrostatic equilibrium of the sterile neutrino halo). This
yields a 1:1 relation between the sterile neutrino density and velocity
dispersion, and therefore gives us an accurate estimate of the Tremaine-Gunn
limit at all radii. By varying the sterile neutrino particle mass, we locate
the minimum mass for all six dwarf spheroidals such that the Tremaine-Gunn
limit is not exceeded at any radius (in particular at the centre). We find
sizeable differences between the ranges of feasible sterile neutrino particle
mass for each dwarf, but interestingly there exists a small range 270-280eV
which is consistent with all dSphs at the 1- level.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl
Lopsidedness of cluster galaxies in modified gravity
We point out an interesting theoretical prediction for elliptical galaxies
residing inside galaxy clusters in the framework of modified Newtonian dynamics
(MOND), that could be used to test this paradigm. Apart from the central
brightest cluster galaxy, other galaxies close enough to the centre experience
a strong gravitational influence from the other galaxies of the cluster. This
influence manifests itself only as tides in standard Newtonian gravity, meaning
that the systematic acceleration of the centre of mass of the galaxy has no
consequence. However, in the context of MOND, a consequence of the breaking of
the strong equivalence principle is that the systematic acceleration changes
the own self-gravity of the galaxy. We show here that, in this framework,
initially axisymmetric elliptical galaxies become lopsided along the external
field's direction, and that the centroid of the galaxy, defined by the outer
density contours, is shifted by a few hundreds parsecs with respect to the
densest point.Comment: accepted for publication in JCA
Spiral Galaxies Rotation Curves with a Logarithmic Corrected Newtonian Gravitational Potential
We analyze the rotation curves of 10 spiral galaxies with a newtonian
potential corrected with an extra logarithmic term, using a disc modelization
for the spiral galaxies. There is a new constant associated with the extra term
in the potential. The rotation curve of the chosen sample of spiral galaxies is
well reproduced for a given range of the new constant. It is argued that this
correction can have its origin from string configurations. The compatibility of
this correction with local physics is discussed.Comment: Latex file, 6 pages, 20 figure
Reconciling MOND and dark matter?
Observations of galaxies suggest a one-to-one analytic relation between the
inferred gravity of dark matter at any radius and the enclosed baryonic mass, a
relation summarized by Milgrom's law of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND).
However, present-day covariant versions of MOND usually require some additional
fields contributing to the geometry, as well as an additional hot dark matter
component to explain cluster dynamics and cosmology. Here, we envisage a
slightly more mundane explanation, suggesting that dark matter does exist but
is the source of MOND-like phenomenology in galaxies. We assume a canonical
action for dark matter, but also add an interaction term between baryonic
matter, gravity, and dark matter, such that standard matter effectively obeys
the MOND field equation in galaxies. We show that even the simplest realization
of the framework leads to a model which reproduces some phenomenological
predictions of cold dark matter (CDM) and MOND at those scales where these are
most successful. We also devise a more general form of the interaction term,
introducing the medium density as a new order parameter. This allows for new
physical effects which should be amenable to observational tests in the near
future. Hence, this very general framework, which can be furthermore related to
a generalized scalar-tensor theory, opens the way to a possible unification of
the successes of CDM and MOND at different scales.Comment: 9 page
Wide binaries as a critical test of Classical Gravity
Modified gravity scenarios where a change of regime appears at acceleration
scales have been proposed. Since for systems the
acceleration drops below at scales of around 7000 AU, a statistical
survey of wide binaries with relative velocities and separations reaching
AU and beyond should prove useful to the above debate. We apply the
proposed test to the best currently available data. Results show a constant
upper limit to the relative velocities in wide binaries which is independent of
separation for over three orders of magnitude, in analogy with galactic flat
rotation curves in the same acceleration regime. Our results are
suggestive of a breakdown of Kepler's third law beyond
scales, in accordance with generic predictions of modified gravity theories
designed not to require any dark matter at galactic scales and beyond.Comment: accepted for publication in EPJ
Extended LCDM: generalized non-minimal coupling for dark matter fluids
In this paper we discuss a class of models that address the issue of
explaining the gravitational dynamics at the galactic scale starting from a
geometric point of view. Instead of claiming the existence of some hidden
coupling between dark matter and baryons, or abandoning the existence of dark
matter itself, we consider the possibility that dark matter and gravity have
some non trivial interaction able to modify the dynamics at astrophysical
scales. This interaction is implemented assuming that dark matter gets
non--minimally coupled with gravity at suitably small scales and late times.
After showing the predictions of the model in the Newtonian limit we also
discuss the possible origin of it non-minimal coupling. This investigation
seems to suggest that phenomenological mechanisms envisaged for the dark matter
dynamics, such as the Bose--Einstein condensation of dark matter halos, could
be connected to this class of models.Comment: 15 pages, more references added, minor changes, accepted for
publication on JCA
Gravitational deflection of light in Rindler-type potential as a possible resolution to the observations of Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558
The surface density -map and the convergence -map of Bullet
Cluster 1E0657-558 show that the center of baryonic matters separates from the
center of gravitational force, and the distribution of gravitational force do
not possess spherical symmetry. This hints that a modified gravity with
difference to Newtonian inverse-square law at large scale, and less symmetry is
worth investigating. In this paper, we study the dynamics in Randers-Finsler
spacetime. The Newtonian limit and gravitational deflection of light in a
Rindler-type potential is focused in particular. It is shown that the
convergence in Finsler spacetime could account for the observations of Bullet
Cluster.Comment: 11 page
Observational Constraints on the Modified Gravity Model (MOG) Proposed by Moffat: Using the Magellanic System
A simple model for the dynamics of the Magellanic Stream (MS), in the
framework of modified gravity models is investigated. We assume that the galaxy
is made up of baryonic matter out of context of dark matter scenario. The model
we used here is named Modified Gravity (MOG) proposed by Moffat (2005). In
order to examine the compatibility of the overall properties of the MS under
the MOG theory, the observational radial velocity profile of the MS is compared
with the numerical results using the fit method. In order to obtain
the best model parameters, a maximum likelihood analysis is performed. We also
compare the results of this model with the Cold Dark Matter (CDM) halo model
and the other alternative gravity model that proposed by Bekenstein (2004), so
called TeVeS. We show that by selecting the appropriate values for the free
parameters, the MOG theory seems to be plausible to explain the dynamics of the
MS as well as the CDM and the TeVeS models.Comment: 14 pages, 3 Figures, accepted in Int. J. Theor. Phy
Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study
A41 Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study
In: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2017, 12(Suppl 1): A4
An overview of Southern Ocean zooplankton data: abundance, biomass, feeding and functional relationships
There is an enormous amount of data on Southern Ocean (SO) zooplankton, mostly on their distribution with a minority addressing rate processes. This review aims to summarise these data and show where it resides, to assist SO food-web modellers or those with limited specialist knowledge of SO zooplankton. First, a brief overview is provided of the diversity and basic biology of SO zooplankton, with an emphasis on abundance, distribution and feeding. Second, advice is provided on the uses, strengths and limitations of zooplankton data as inputs to SO data compilations or food-web models. Copepods overall comprise >75% of the SO zooplankton biomass (excluding Euphausia superba). Total mesozooplankton biomass density differs little between the Antarctic sectors, but latitudinally it is maximal in the Polar Frontal Zone and declines to the north and south. Those compiling data on numerical density (no. m–2 or no. m–3) need to allow for differences in the extent of identification of early larval stages. Likewise, the time of year, depth of sampling and mesh size of sampler greatly influence the recorded abundance, since the populations can make seasonal vertical migrations and their pulsed reproduction causes great seasonal changes in size structure and abundance. Other issues are specific to polar environments, for example, lipid storage which leads to significantly different length-mass and mass-rate relationships than are reported in global literature compilations. Likewise, stenothermy (narrow temperature tolerance) means that fixed (Q10-type) temperature relationships based on global literature compilations must be applied with great caution in SO-specific studies. Protozoa/micrometazoa (<200 μm) are the main grazers in the SO, since mesozooplankton typically remove <30% of primary production. This emphasises the dominant role of microbial food chains involving small metazoans, relative to the classic short diatom-krill-whale type food chains. Even within regions of abundant krill, copepod production in summer roughly triples that of postlarval E. superba. This fact reflects a large flow of energy through multiple trophic levels, via copepods and their major invertebrate predators such as other predatory copepods, chaetognaths, small omnivorous euphausiids, amphipods up to myctophid fish and birds