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ISDCCDCI
Data Centre for Astrophysics
Astronomy Department of the University of Geneva
ISDC Seminar

Wednesday, 15 July 2009 at 14:00

Christian Farnier
LPTA, Université Montpellier 2

Fermi and H.E.S.S. searches for a dark matter annihilation signature in dwarf spheroidal galaxies

Abstract. Although it is now established beyond reasonable doubt that non-baryonic dark matter (DM) is needed in order to explain results obtained by several experiments, the nature of these new particles is still unknown. Self annihilation of DM particles can lead to several indirect signatures, especially high energy gamma rays. Dwarf spheroidal galaxies provide among the best targets for searches of a signal from a DM annihilation. These objects are highly dominated by DM, local and do not host bright, high energy astrophysical sources. The H.E.S.S. array of 4 imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope is a ground based experiment with unprecedented sensitivity for gamma-ray observations above 100 GeV. Fermi, successfully launched on June 11, 2008, is conducting an all sky gamma-ray survey in the 20 MeV up to 300 GeV energy range with unparalleled sensitivity. I will present the searches for a DM annihilation signature in dwarf spheroidal galaxies conduct by these two experiments.

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