Department - Author 1
Physics Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Physics
Date
6-2010
Primary Advisor
Jodi Christiansen
Abstract/Summary
We analyzed the Messier 5 (M5) globular cluster for dark matter annihilation using data from VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) to improve the flux upper limit previously done by Michael McCutecheon. We used updated software and lower energy thresholds. VERITAS consists of four ground-based gamma-ray telescopes located at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in southern Arizona. Thirty-five 20 minute observations of M5 from VERITAS are used in our analysis. The observations were collected from February to March in 2009, for a total exposure time of 10.63 hours. Gamma-rays from dark matter annihilation were not found,
but better upper limits than were reported in a previous analysis. For the standard VERITAS analysis, a statistical upper limit of 9.96 photons was found. For the lower energy soft analysis, a statistical upper limit of 21.2 photons was found. Rolke 95% confidence interval bounded limits were found but are preliminary.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/physsp/31