BARYONIC DARK CLUSTERS IN GALACTIC HALOS

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Abstract
Besides MACHOs (Massive Astrophysical Compact Halo Objects) discovered by microlensing, cold molecular clouds (mainly of H 2) may well contribute substantially to the galactic halo dark matter. We describe a model for the formation and evolution of proto globular clusters towards either globular clusters or dark clusters of MACHOs and molecular clouds, depending on the distance from the galactic centre. Moreover, we discuss various methods to test this scenario, which rely upon observations in several bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. In particular, we estimate the γ-ray flux arising from halo molecular clouds through the interaction with high-energy cosmic-ray protons. Molecular clouds can also be detected via the absorption lines they would produce in the spectrum of stars located in the Large Magellanic Cloud and via the anisotropy they would introduce in the Cosmic Background Radiation when looking at the halo of M31 galaxy. Finally, we address the possibility of discovering MACHOs by infrared searches.

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