Local PIs / Advisors: Dan Coe and Larry Bradley (STScI)
Chandra + HST Program PI: Mariachiara Rossetti (INAF Milan)
dcoe[at]stsci.edu
www.stsci.edu/~dcoe
dancoe.space/projects
Duration: 1 year as part of a thesis project with funding in hand from other programs
Project Description:
In 2006, "Bullet Cluster" famously proved the existence of dark matter as non-collisional particles very different from ordinary matter (baryons). In this merger of two massive galaxy clusters, gas (observed in X-rays) particles collided with one another, while dark matter (revealed by gravitational lensing analysis) particles passed straight through.
In 2021, we are observing a new "Bullet Cluster" again with Hubble and the Chandra X-ray telescope. This new galaxy cluster merger was recently discovered by the Planck all-sky survey. Shallow Chandra X-ray imaging reveals it to be about as spectacular as the original Bullet Cluster. Now we are obtaining deeper data to study it in as much detail as the Bullet Cluster.
Anticipated Results and Publication:
Are dark matter particles truly non-collisional? Or do they have some small cross-section that we can measure? You may find out by analyzing these data! You will either tighten the upper limit, further constraining theoretical dark matter particles, or you may discover a non-zero cross section, revealing conclusively for the first time that dark matter particles are more interesting than currently believed!
- “Constraints on the Particle Nature of Dark Matter from a new Bullet Cluster PSZ2 G282.28+49.94”
Data:
- Deep Chandra X-ray imaging (146 ks) to reveal the gas
- Hubble imaging (5 orbits) to map the dark matter with weak lensing
Analysis:
No experience required! We will teach you how to analyze the Chandra X-ray images to map gas density, temperature, and shocks. And you will analyze lensed galaxies in the Hubble imaging to map dark matter using weak lensing analysis. Dan, Larry, and our team of experts will provide plenty of help along the way.
The original Bullet Cluster – galaxies and dark matter (blue) passed straight through the collision, while gas (red) collided and was left behind.
