Project description
Tracing the footprints of hidden matter in the universe
While much of the universe’s matter is invisible, its presence is undeniable through its gravitational effects. This mysterious substance, dark matter, holds galaxies together and shapes the cosmos, yet its true nature is unknown. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RACIN project will develop new tools to reveal dark matter signals. First, researchers will use data from the ESA Gaia satellite to detect small-scale dark matter structures and create the largest catalogue of stellar accelerations. Second, they will design innovative methods to search for axion-like particles and new radiation components by analysing their distortion effects on cosmic microwave background and quasar signals. Project efforts will provide groundbreaking tools to uncover dark matter and test new physics theories.
Objective
Despite decades of compelling evidence for the existence of Dark Matter (DM) from independent astrophysical and cosmological observations, the fundamental nature of 85% of the matter of the Universe is still unknown and remains one of the biggest open questions in modern physics. Progress requires advancing in two key areas: enhancing our understanding of DM properties by expanding the set of indirect gravitational probes, and seeking evidence for additional interactions between the dark and visible sectors, as predicted by well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model (SM). My proposal contributes to both objectives by developing and implementing new tools to reveal DM signals and test theories Beyond the SM with existing and upcoming telescopes. The first part of the proposal aims at detecting small-scale galactic DM substructure. It foresees the use of the upcoming ESA Gaia satellite time series observations to construct the largest catalogue of stellar accelerations ever built, conduct the most sensitive search of DM galactic subhalos with astrometric lensing effects, and measure average stellar masses from stacked start-star lensing signals. The second part focuses on designing novel searches for axion-like-particles and new radiation components interacting with photons, by relying on the spatially correlated spectral distortion features that they induce on the CMB and high-redshift quasars due to interaction with photons in the intervening late Universe structure. The expected result is to provide the most sensitive search strategies to look for these well-motivated New Physics scenarios in ongoing and upcoming survey data.
My expertise in DM models, data analysis, and astro/cosmo observations, combined with the CERN Theory members' deep knowledge of DM theory and cosmological probes, and further supported by astrometry and CMB/LSS experts at local institutions, provides a strong foundation for achieving the proposed research objectives.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1211 GENEVE 23
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.