Cores vs. Cusps: Dark Matter Density Profiles in Spirals

Abstract

We use photometric, Hα and Hi data to investigate the distribution of dark matter in spiral galaxies. A new technique for deriving the Hi rotation curve is presented. the final combined Hα+Hi rotation curves are symmetric, well resolved and extend to large radii. We perform the rotation curve decomposition into the luminous and dark matter contributions. the observations are confronted with different models of the dark matter distribution, including core-dominated and cusp-dominated halos as well as less conventional possibilities. the best agreement with the observations is found for the core-dominated halos.