# Collaborative Research: Constraining Dark Matter with Globular Clusters and Stellar Streams

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Northwestern University at Chicago (IL) · $313,105

## Abstract

The fundamental nature of dark matter, the largest and most mysterious component of galaxies, remains one of the key questions of modern physics. Wide-field surveys such as those planned by the Rubin Observatory, the Euclid Mission, and the Roman Space Telescope will fundamentally change our understanding of the nature of dark matter. One such change will come from the ability of these surveys to discover large numbers of stellar streams: delicate trails of stars created when star clusters are pulled apart by the gravity of their parent galaxy. These streams are extremely sensitive tracers of the parent’s gravitational potential. Since galaxies’ gravity comes mostly from their dark matter, streams present a unique opportunity to probe dark matter’s properties. A team of scientists from the University of North Carolina, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University, will be the first to combine supercomputer simulations of both the galaxies and the star clusters themselves to study how these clusters form, live, and create stellar streams in galaxies with different quantities and forms of dark matter. The project’s main goal is to create a dark matter “spotters guide” for stellar streams, which can be used to understand the deluge of data coming from next-generation telescopic surveys. As part of this project, the team will lead the development of an interactive virtual reality (VR) program for middle school students, based on the simulated star clusters and stre

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2510183
- **Awardee organization:** Northwestern University at Chicago (IL)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KG76WYENL5K1
- **PI:** Tjitske Starkenburg
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS
- **Estimated total:** $313,105
- **Funds obligated:** $313,105
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2510183

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2510183, Collaborative Research: Constraining Dark Matter with Globular Clusters and Stellar Streams. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2510183. Licensed CC0.

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