Dark Matter Across Galactic Scales: Current Challenges and Perspectives

Observations from new generation spectrographs, on Very Large Telescopes, has allowed us to study the resolved velocity profiles, or rotation curves, of galaxies at high redshifts (z=0.6-3.0). This enables us to answer some of the most intriguing open questions in modern astrophysics. These include: Is the nature of dark matter cold as presumed in the most successful ΛCDM cosmological simulations? What is the fraction of dark matter in high-redshift galaxies compared to locals? Do dark matter halos evolve along with galaxies over cosmic time? Do baryonic processes impact the distribution of dark matter and, if so, can they be constrained? In my talk, I intend to elaborate on each of these questions. Specifically, I will present a combination of previous studies and a new study of mine that utilizes data from KROSS, KGES and KMOS3D data, comprise ~300 disk-like galaxies, a largest sample up to date, spanning a redshift range of 0.5 < z < 2.5. I will present accurate rotation curves, dark matter estimates, and scaling relations. Finally, I will engage in a discussion on how we can examine the assembly history of galaxies and disk-halo co-evolution using gas kinematics at high-redshift. This work provides significant insights into the early Universe and galaxy formation, highlighting the need for future advancements in our kinematic and dynamical modelling techniques.