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Stringent constraints on the dark matter annihilation cross section from the region of the Galactic Center

Journal Article · · Astroparticle Physics
For any realistic halo profile, the Galactic Center is predicted to be the brightest source of gamma-rays from dark matter annihilations. Due in large part to uncertainties associated with the dark matter distribution and astrophysical backgrounds, however, the most commonly applied constraints on the dark matter annihilation cross section have been derived from other regions, such as dwarf spheroidal galaxies. In this article, we study Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope data from the direction of the inner Galaxy and derive stringent upper limits on the dark matter's annihilation cross section. Even for the very conservative case of a dark matter distribution with a significant (~kpc) constant-density core, normalized to the minimum density needed to accommodate rotation curve and microlensing measurements, we find that the Galactic Center constraint is approximately as stringent as those derived from dwarf galaxies (which were derived under the assumption of an NFW distribution). For NFW or Einasto profiles (again, normalized to the minimum allowed density), the Galactic Center constraints are typically stronger than those from dwarfs.
Research Organization:
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP) (SC-25)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-07CH11359
OSTI ID:
1406517
Report Number(s):
FERMILAB-PUB-12-505-A; arXiv:1209.3015; 1185522
Journal Information:
Astroparticle Physics, Journal Name: Astroparticle Physics Journal Issue: C Vol. 46; ISSN 0927-6505
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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