M31 pixel lensing: Observations at the Loiano telescope

Abstract

We discuss pixel lensing observations towards M31 carried out at the Loiano telescope. We have established a fully automatic pipeline for the detection and the characterization of microlensing events. We have evaluated the efficiency of the pipeline. We have estimated the expected signal by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. As a result we select 2 microlensing candidates. This is compatible with the expected M31 self-lensing signal. The small statistics of events at disposal does not still allow us, however, to draw definite conclusions on the content of compact halo objects.

Proceedings of the "Twelfth Marcel Grosmann Meeting", held in Paris (France), 12-18, July, 2009