MICROLENSING TOWARDS THE GALACTIC BULGE AND GALACTIC DARK-MATTER

Extensive modeling of the Galactic disk and bulge is used to study the implications of the observed microlensing events towards the bulge. W e constrain models to fit both the microlensing data and more traditio nal constraints such as rotation curve measurements, limits on the dis k surface density, and escape velocity from the Galaxy. We find that e ven if the Galactic bulge has a bar-like configuration, substantial da rk matter must exist in either a heavy disk or a massive bar or both. Disentanglement of the bar and disk contributions requires mapping of the optical depth across the Galactic center. We discuss the range ove r which such mapping would be useful.