Theoretical status of $B \to K^* \mu^+\mu^-$: The path towards New Physics

Understand

We summarize the status of the analysis of the 4-body angular distribution $B \to K^*(\to K \pi) \mu^+\mu^-$ using a basis of optimized observables.

• We provide a New Physics interpretation of the pattern of deviations observed in the 1fb$^{-1}$ dataset with the coefficient of the semileptonic operator $O_9$ being the main responsible for this pattern.
• Also other scenarios involving more Wilson coefficients are briefly discussed.
• Further, we present a detailed description of each of the hadronic uncertainties entering our predictions and suggest possible tests for alternative hadronic explanations.