Understanding Dwarf Galaxies to Understand Dark Matter
Date: Friday, Apr 3, 2026
Start time: 2:00 pm
Location: 701 W. Grace St., Room 2306
Audience: All are welcome to attend.
Prof. Ferah Munshi
Department of Physics & Astronomy
George Mason University
Abstract
The nature of dark matter remains one of the central open questions in Astrophysics & Cosmology. While the standard cold dark matter (CDM) paradigm has been remarkably successful on large scales, tensions on small scales have motivated the exploration of alternative dark matter models, including self-interacting dark matter (SIDM). Progress in distinguishing between these scenarios increasingly relies on connecting observable galaxy properties to the underlying dark matter distribution. In this talk, I will present recent work using high-resolution cosmological simulations to investigate the relationship between dwarf galaxy structure and the shape and dynamics of their host dark matter halos. In particular, I will focus on how galaxy morphology and dynamics, especially in these low-mass dwarf galaxy systems, can serve as a probe of the underlying dark matter physics. I will discuss methods for inferring halo shapes from observable tracers, the impact of baryonic processes on these inferences, and the extent to which current and upcoming observations can discriminate between CDM and SIDM models.
Event contact: Joe Reiner, jereiner@vcu.edu