Probing the Nature of Dark Matter with LSST

Workshop Goal

How can we utilize LSST to help us understand the microphysics of dark matter, to identify the fundamental constituents of dark matter (e.g., new fundamental particles, compact objects, etc.), and to characterize the properties of these constituents (e.g, mass, temperature, self-interaction rate, etc.)? LSST offers a unique avenue to attack the dark matter problem through "astrophysical probes". Hence, the primary goal of this workshop is jump-start work on an LSST dark matter white paper. In this white paper, we hope to provide a comprehensive summary of the various techniques that can be used to test the fundamental nature of dark matter with LSST.

People who would like to share their experience and interaction at the workshop on social media can use the hash tag #lsstdarkmatter.

Dark Matter Graphic

We have begun to assemble graphical representations of the complex LSST dark matter parameter space. This graphic is intended to help conceptually organize the LSST dark matter program and serve as a road map for the dark matte white paper. A landing page for the dark matter graphic can be found here:

• LSST Dark Matter Graphics

We strongly encourage the addition of new components through this submission form.

Agenda

The agenda is color coded by session type: plenary sessions, small group work sessions, and food/breaks.

Ideas for the small-group hack sessions can be submitted here.

Participants

Organizers

• Will Dawson (LLNL)
• Alex Drlica-Wagner (FNAL)
• Yao-Yuan Mao (Pittsburgh)
• Annika Peter (OSU)
• Andrew Zentner (Pittsburgh)

Confirmed Participants

• Yacine Ali-Haimoud (NYU)
• Brian Batell (Pittsburgh)
• Andrew Benson (Carnegie)
• Simeon Bird (Johns Hopkins)
• Michael Boylan-Kolchin (UT Austin)
• Jo Bovy (U Toronto)
• Alyson Brooks (Rutgers)
• Matthew Buckley (Rutgers)
• Esra Bulbul (CfA)
• Rupert Croft (CMU)
• Francis-Yan Cyr-Racine (Harvard)
• Christopher Fassnacht (UC Davis)
• Nathan Golovich (LLNL)
• Yashar Hezaveh (Stanford)
• Manoj Kaplinghat (UC Irvine)
• Chuck Keeton (Rutgers)
• Stacy Kim (OSU)
• Sergey Koposov (CMU)
• Savvas M. Koushiappas (Brown)
• Ting Li (FNAL)
• Mariangela Lisanti (Princeton)
• Rachel Mandelbaum (CMU)
• Leonidas Moustakas (JPL)
• Simona Murgia (UC Irvine)
• Jeff Newman (Pittsburgh)
• Anna Nierenberg (UC Irvine)
• Chiamaka Blessing Okoli (Waterloo)
• Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (UW)
• Anthony Pullen (NYU)
• Tracy Slatyer (MIT)
• Tim Tait (UC Irvine)
• Matt Walker (CMU)
• Risa Wechsler (Stanford)
• Mei-Yu Wang (CMU)

If you wish to subscribe to our mailing list, please visit this link, or send your request to Yao-Yuan Mao directly.

Local Info

The workshop will take place at the University Club, marked in blue in the map below. There are entrances on both University and Thackeray; the latter is accessible. We will be using Conference Room A on the 3rd floor.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided (lunch for the first two days only). You should have already received an email about Wi-Fi connection information; eduroam will be available as well.

Lodging is available at Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center, marked in purple in the map below. It's about 5-minute walk between Wyndham and the University Club.

Here's a PDF map of nearby restaurants; however, Google Maps will provide you more up-to-date information. (Also note that the conference venue marked in the restaurant map is not for this workshop; see the map above for the correct location.) You can also find tourist attractions within easy walking distance, including the Carnegie Museums, Phipps Conservatory, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, and the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. Again, Google Maps can help you finding their locations.

Transportation

To and from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

• 28X Airport Flyer: Bus stop at Door 6 in the baggage claim area. Runs every 30 minutes and takes about 1 hour from the airport to Oakland (where the University and the hotel locate). Costs $2.75 (with exact change) or $2.50 with a ConnectCard (available at the airport, near the exit closest to the bus stop).
• Supershuttle: Shared van. Costs about $35 for a single passenger.
• Taxi: Takes 35+ minutes, costs about $55. Options include: Yellow Cab (412-321-8100) and zTrip (412-777-7777).
• Lyft and Uber: Takes 35+ minutes, costs about $35.
• Rental car: there are multiple rental car companies at the airport. Counters are located in the baggage claim area.

Within Pittsburgh

Port Authority buses are your best option to travel within Pittsburgh. Fare is $2.75 per trip and must be paid with the exact change. If you are planning on using the bus system throughout the week you can purchase a ConnectCard, which can be loaded with a weekly or 10-trip pass or just cash and can be used for on all Port Authority transports. Lyft and Uber are also convenient options in Pittsburgh.

If you are traveling with a car, parking infomation can be found here (Pitt parking) and here (city parking).

Code of Conduct

The workshop organizers are committed to conducting a meeting that is productive and enjoyable for everyone. We will not tolerate harassment of participants in any form throughout the workshop.

By attending this workshop you agree to:

• Behave professionally. Harassment^[1], and exclusionary or offensive comments or jokes related to personal attributes^[2] are not appropriate.

• Communicate appropriately. Aim for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not acceptable.

• Be kind and considerate. Do not insult or put down other meeting participants.

All participants are empowered to request that undesirable behavior be stopped. Participants asked to stop any behavior inconsistent with this code of conduct are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in behavior that violates this code of conduct, the workshop organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the workshop.

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1. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, sustained disruption of talks or other events, unwelcome physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, intimidation, stalking, and recording of an individual without consent.

2. Personal attributes include, but are not limited to, (alphabetically) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, lactation, nationality, physical appearance, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and status as a caregiver (including as a parent).