M. R. Merrifield
Published 2003-10-17Version 1
This paper reviews the available information on the central density distribution and shape of the Milky Way's halo. At present, there is no strong evidence that the Milky Way's halo properties conflict with the predictions of cold dark matter (CDM): a primordial central power law cusp can be accommodated by the observations, and the current constraints on flattening are also consistent with the predictions of the theory. If you want to pick a fight with CDM, then the Milky Way is probably not the place to do it.
Comments: 8 pages, 2 figures, using newpasp.sty. Invited panellist contribution to the topical session on CDM problems at IAU Symposium 220 "Dark Matter in Galaxies," Sydney, July 2003. To be published in the ASP conference series
Gravitational Microlensing and the Galactic Halo
Coarse Graining the Distribution Function of Cold Dark Matter
Cold Dark Matter as Compact Composite Objects
