New emission line at ~3.5 keV - observational status, connection with radiatively decaying dark matter and directions for future studies

Understand

Recent works of [1402.2301,1402.4119], claiming the detection of extra emission line with energy ~3.5 keV in X-ray spectra of certain clusters of galaxies and nearby Andromeda galaxy, have raised considerable interest in astrophysics and particle physics communities.

• A number of new observational studies claim detection or non-detection of the extra line in X-ray spectra of various cosmic objects.
• In this review I summarize existing results of these studies, overview possible interpretations of the extra line, including intriguing connection with radiatively decaying dark matter, and show future directions achievable with existing and planned X-ray cosmic missions.