Gravitational Focusing of Low-Velocity Dark Matter on the Earth’s Surface

Abstract

We show that the Earth acts as a high-efficiency gravitational collector of low-velocity flow of dark matter (DM). The focal point appears on the Earth’s surface, when the DM flow speed is about 17 km/s with respect to the geo-center. We discuss diurnal modulation of the local DM density influenced by the Earth’s gravity. We also touch upon similar effects on galactic and solar system objects.

Keywords

• dark matter
• Earth
• Milky Way
• gravitational focusing