2022/03/14 by Yao-Yuan Mao, Annika H. G. Peter, Mao, Yao-Yuan +63 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Scientific Research and Discoveries
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2203.07252
Establishing that Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a flagship dark matter\nexperiment is an essential pathway toward understanding the physical nature of\ndark matter. In the past two decades, wide-field astronomical surveys and\nterrestrial laboratories have jointly created a phase transition in the\necosystem of dark matter models and probes. Going forward, any robust\nunderstanding of dark matter requires astronomical observations, which still\nprovide the only empirical evidence for dark matter to date. We have a unique\nopportunity right now to create a dark matter experiment with Rubin Observatory\nLegacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). This experiment will be a coordinated\neffort to perform dark matter research, and provide a large collaborative team\nof scientists with the necessary organizational and funding supports. This\napproach leverages existing investments in Rubin. Studies of dark matter with\nRubin LSST will also guide the design of, and confirm the results from, other\ndark matter experiments. Supporting a collaborative team to carry out a dark\nmatter experiment with Rubin LSST is the key to achieving the dark matter\nscience goals that have already been identified as high priority by the\nhigh-energy physics and astronomy communities.\n