Gravitational Microlensing and Dark Matter Problem: Results and Perspectives

Abstract

Foundations of standard theory of microlensing are described, namely we consider microlensing stars in Galactic bulge, the Magellanic Clouds or other nearby galaxies. We suppose that gravitational microlenses lie between an Earth observer and these stars. Criteria of an identification of microlensing events are discussed. We also consider such microlensing events which do not satisfy these criteria (non-symmetrical light curves, chromatic effects, polarization effects). We describe results of MACHO collaboration observations towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Galactic bulge in detail. Results of EROS observations towards the LMC and OGLE observations towards the Galactic bulge are also presented. A comparison of the microlensing theory and observations is discussed in full.