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First Stars III
Contact:
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Poster
Title: Dark Matter and the First Stars: A New Phase of Stellar Evolution Author(s): Douglas Spolyar, Katie Freese Abstract: A mechanism is identified whereby dark matter (DM) in protostellar halos dramatically alters the current theoretical framework for the formation of the first stars. Heat from neutralino DM annihilation is shown to overwhelm any cooling mechanism, consequently impeding the star formation process and possibly leading to a new stellar phase. A \"dark star\'\' may result: a giant ($\\gtrsim 1$ AU) hydrogen-helium star powered by DM annihilation instead of nuclear fusion, and detectable via annihilation products (gamma-rays, neutrinos, antimatter) possibly in combination with hydrogen lines.
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