Is there any evidence for MACHOs or WIMPs being Dark Matter?

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SUMMARY

MACHOs (Massive Astrophysical Compact Halo Objects) have been largely ruled out as viable dark matter candidates due to their insufficient contribution to matter density. In contrast, WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) remain the most promising candidates for dark matter. Additionally, heavy sterile neutrinos are considered potential candidates, although they are not typically classified as WIMPs. The Bullet Cluster serves as significant evidence supporting the existence of dark matter as a form of "stuff" rather than a modification of gravitational laws.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dark matter concepts, specifically MACHOs and WIMPs.
  • Familiarity with astrophysical phenomena, particularly the Bullet Cluster.
  • Knowledge of particle physics, including the properties of sterile neutrinos.
  • Basic grasp of gravitational theories and their modifications.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and detection methods of WIMPs in particle physics.
  • Explore the implications of the Bullet Cluster findings on dark matter theories.
  • Investigate the characteristics and potential of heavy sterile neutrinos as dark matter candidates.
  • Study the differences between MACHOs and WIMPs in the context of cosmology.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and cosmologists interested in dark matter research, as well as students studying astrophysics and particle physics.

Quds Akbar
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I know MACHOS and WIMPs are leading candidates for Dark Matter, but is there any convincing evidence to support them?
 
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Well, I think MACHOS has been more or less ruled out as a dark matter candidate. They don't contribute enough to the matter density to be "most of" the dark matter. WIMPs are probably now our best candidates. I don't know of many other potential candidates, other than a perhaps heavy-ish sterile neutrino (which would be very similar to a WIMP, but is not usually included as a WIMP in the terminology).

The best evidence we have that Dark Matter is made of "stuff" and is not a modification of the laws of gravity, I believe, is the Bullet cluster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_Cluster
 

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