Tufts/CfA/MIT Cosmology Seminar, at Tufts:

Tuesday, November 29, 2005
2:30 pm
Robinson Hall, Room 250
Refreshments at 2:00 in Knipp Library, Room 251

"Dark Matter and the Anthropic Principle"


Simeon Hellerman
Institute for Advanced Study

Abstract:

After giving an overview of the cosmological problem relating to axionic dark matter, I will discuss the possibility of an anthropic resolution of this puzzle. I will lay out a concrete operational definition of what it would mean for anthropic reasoning to constrain the amount of dark matter per baryon. I derive the simplest quantitative anthropic bound coming from constraints on galaxy formation and show that it is somewhat higher than what we observe. I will also discuss some more detailed effects of structure formation whose incorporation may improve the bound substantially.

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