Cuspy Halo Problem: Questions & Answers

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Arman777
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Halo
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Cuspy Halo Problem, which addresses the discrepancy between theoretical predictions of dark matter density in galaxy cores and observational data. Participants explore whether this issue is resolved, its applicability to different types of galaxies, and methods for detecting dark matter density in these regions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that simulations predict a sharp increase in dark matter density in the cores of low-mass galaxies, while observations indicate a linear increase with radius.
  • There is uncertainty regarding whether the Cuspy Halo Problem is resolved, with multiple proposed solutions including warm dark matter, self-interacting dark matter, and modified gravity theories, none of which have gained widespread acceptance.
  • Some argue that the problem is not limited to low-mass galaxies, noting that it has been heavily explored in ordinary-sized spiral galaxies and that large elliptical galaxies exhibit different dark matter characteristics.
  • Participants discuss methods for detecting dark matter density, primarily through the dynamics of stars in medium-sized spiral galaxies and lensing measurements.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the observed dark matter density being lower near the galactic center compared to outer layers, questioning if this relates to the cusp/core problem.
  • There is mention of differing opinions on the validity of cold dark matter hypotheses versus alternative models, with some theorists reportedly dismissing evidence contrary to their views.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the resolution of the Cuspy Halo Problem, with multiple competing views and ongoing debates about the implications for different types of galaxies and the validity of various theoretical models.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of dark matter models, the unresolved status of proposed solutions, and the varying interpretations of observational data across different galaxy types.

Arman777
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,163
Reaction score
191
I have couple questions related to the Cuspy halo problem. First I want to start by telling what I understand from the problem.

Simulations shows that in the core of the low-mass galaxies dark matter density should increase sharply, however in real life the DM density increases linearly with respect to the radius. Is this true ?

Is this problem solved ?

Is this problem appears only on the low-mass galaxies or in all galaxies ?

How can we detect that these galaxies have low DM density in their cores ?
 
Space news on Phys.org
Thanks for the info. It seems a nice theory. Is someone knows why this happens only on the dwarf galaxies ? Or Is this theory accepted ?
 
Arman777 said:
Simulations shows that in the core of the low-mass galaxies dark matter density should increase sharply, however in real life the DM density increases linearly with respect to the radius. Is this true ?

The cuspy halo problem has been explored most heavily in ordinary sized spiral galaxies, it is not primarily a low-mass galaxy issue.

Is this problem solved?

Multiple solutions have been proposed, none has won widespread acceptance. Warm dark matter particles, self-interacting dark matter particles and modified gravity theories have all been motivated in significant part, by a desire to address this problem.

Some theorists stick stubbornly to pure cold dark matter hypotheses and deny that halos differ from the NFW distribution theoretically predicted for cold dark matter, notwithstanding the evidence to the contrary. But, they are wrong.

Is this problem appears only on the low-mass galaxies or in all galaxies?

This isn't primarily a low-mass galaxy issue. Very large elliptical galaxies have little apparently dark matter relative to the luminosity by comparison to spiral galaxies and dwarf galaxies, so the issue is less intense in those cases.

How can we detect that these galaxies have low DM density in their cores ?

We detect DM density in the core of medium sized mostly spiral galaxies where this is observed mostly by inferring the shape of the halo from the dynamics of the stars in the galaxy and to a lesser extent with lensing measurements.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Arman777
George Jones said:
See

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/how-certain-is-dark-matter.952790/page-4#post-6045864
I don't know how accepted this work is, or how it goes in solving the problem. For a nice explanation, see, in particular, the tweets to which I linked.

Deur's work is unfortunately not widely accepted although there have been a number of peer reviewed articles by the author. http://dispatchesfromturtleisland.blogspot.com/p/deurs-work-on-gravity-and-related.html

But, I don't think that this is the quote that you intended to put in your post. I think you intended instead to quote the post immediately after the one that your quoted with the twitterverse link.
 
ohwilleke said:
The cuspy halo problem has been explored most heavily in ordinary sized spiral galaxies, it is not primarily a low-mass galaxy issue.
Multiple solutions have been proposed, none has won widespread acceptance. Warm dark matter particles, self-interacting dark matter particles and modified gravity theories have all been motivated in significant part, by a desire to address this problem.

Some theorists stick stubbornly to pure cold dark matter hypotheses and deny that halos differ from the NFW distribution theoretically predicted for cold dark matter, notwithstanding the evidence to the contrary. But, they are wrong.
This isn't primarily a low-mass galaxy issue. Very large elliptical galaxies have little apparently dark matter relative to the luminosity by comparison to spiral galaxies and dwarf galaxies, so the issue is less intense in those cases.
We detect DM density in the core of medium sized mostly spiral galaxies where this is observed mostly by inferring the shape of the halo from the dynamics of the stars in the galaxy and to a lesser extent with lensing measurements.
Sorry for my late reply, but I want to ask more about it .. So In normal case I expect that there should me more dark matter wrt to the outer layers of the galaxies. I mean density at the galatic center shoul be higher or similar to the outer layers of the galaxy.

I am kind of puzzled why we observe the exact opposite (DM density increases as R from the galatic center) ?

Is this part of a cusp/core problem ? I mean it seems that N body simulations should give the correct answer.
Dark matter at the galactic center should be higher. Why at the near center baryonic mass density is larger than the DM density ? Is this always the case ?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K