The dark matter density at the Sun’s location

• Published in: Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 2010-11, Vol.523, p.A83
• Main Authors: Salucci, P., Nesti, F., Gentile, G., Frigerio Martins, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; dark matter; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics
• ISSN: 0004-6361; 1432-0746
• DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201014385

Aims. We derive the value of the dark matter density at the Sun’s location (ρ⊙) without fully modeling the mass distribution in the Galaxy. Methods. The proposed method relies on the local equation of centrifugal equilibrium and is independent of i) the shape of the dark matter density profile, ii) knowledge of the rotation curve from the galaxy center out to the virial radius, and iii) the uncertainties and the non-uniqueness of the bulge/disk/dark halo mass decomposition. Results. The result can be obtained in analytic form, and it explicitly includes the dependence on the relevant observational quantities and takes their uncertainties into account. By adopting the reference, state-of-the-art values for these, we find ρ⊙ = 0.43(11)(10) GeV/cm3, where the quoted uncertainties are respectively due to the uncertainty in the slope of the circular-velocity at the Sun location and the ratio between this radius and the length scale of the stellar exponential thin disk. Conclusions. We obtained a reliable estimate of ρ⊙, that, in addition has the merit of being ready to take any future change/improvement into account in the measures of the observational quantities it depends on.