Properties of clusters of galaxies in the explosion scenario

Abstract

Systematic properties of rich clusters of galaxies formed in a sample realization of the explosion scenario are studied using N-body simulations. In these simulations, the richest clusters form at the vertices where three expanding shells intersect. Various properties of these clusters are examined, including density and velocity dispersion profiles, ellipticities, subclustering, and alignments of clusters with their surroundings. These results are then compared with those of clusters formed in other cosmological scenarios and with observations. Clusters formed in the explosion scenario are found to be quite similar to those formed in gravitational instability models, bearing the strongest resemblance to clusters in pancake scenarios. In general, the properties of clusters in the explosion scenario agree reasonably well with those of observed clusters. In particular, the model can reproduce the observed tendency for flattened clusters to be aligned with the surrounding galaxy distribution, which may provide an especially promising means of discriminating between different cosmogonic models. 47 refs.