Manolis Papastergis

Can baryons save CDM ? How galactic outflows shape their host dark matter halos.

Several observational challenges to the CDM paradigm have been identified on small scales (galactic, subgalactic). These challenges broadly belong to two classes, one regarding the inner structure and density of DM halos (e.g. the "cusp vs core" problem) and the other regarding the number density of low-mass halos ("overabundance" problems such as the "missing satellites" problem). 

Recent progress in gas+DM simulations has indicated the possibility that baryonic physics alone could modify the properties of their DM host halos, and bring CDM predictions in agreement with observations (Governato+ 2012 , Pontzen & Governato 2011 , Governato+ 2010). This is achieved through the backreaction of intense galactic outflows on the DM halo, which results in a drastic change of the halo's density profile.