The Galactic Halo and CDM

Abstract

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.