Title: Astrophysical Probes of Dark Matter

Abstract:

In the ΛCDM model, ≈ 26% of the matter-energy content of the Universe is in the form of an unidentified Cold Dark Matter. Observations indicate that the Dark Matter is a new exotic particle not accounted for in the Standard Model of particle physics. Identifying the Dark Matter particle is one of the most pressing problems in cosmology and particle physics. In this thesis we investigate several possible astrophysical signatures of Dark Matter. Astrophysical observations can potentially rule out some Dark Matter models. On the other hand, if the Dark Matter particle is identified its astrophysical effects must be taken into account when evaluating observations.