Probing the dark matter distribution of Milky Way-like galaxies

Our lack of knowledge of the dark matter distribution in the Solar neighborhood complicates the interpretation of dark matter direct detection data, and prevents a precise determination of the particle physics properties of dark matter. High resolution hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation have recently become possible, and provide important information on the properties of the dark matter halo. I will discuss the dark matter distribution of Milky Way-like galaxies extracted from state-of-the-art hydrodynamic simulations. To make reliable predictions for dark matter direct detection, we identify simulated galaxies which satisfy the Milky Way observational constraints. Using the dark matter distribution obtained from the selected Milky Way-like galaxies, I will present an analysis of direct detection data, discuss the possibility of dark disks, and explore the possible correlations between the stellar and dark matter velocity distributions.

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