The FSVS Cluster Catalogue: galaxy clusters and groups in the Faint Sky Variability Survey

Abstract

We describe a large sample of 598 galaxy clusters and rich groups discovered in the data of the Faint Sky Variability Survey (FSVS). The clusters have been identified using a fully automated, semiparametric technique based on a maximum likelihood approach applied to Voronoi tessellation, and enhanced by colour discrimination. The sample covers a wide range of richness, has a density of ∼28 clusters deg −2 , and spans a range of estimated redshifts of 0.05 0.6, the catalogue contributes substantially to the current total of optically selected, intermediate-redshift clusters, and complements the existing, usually X-ray selected, samples. The FSVS fields are accessible for observation throughout the whole year, making them particularly suited for large follow-up programmes. The construction of this FSVS Cluster Catalogue completes a fundamental component of our continuing programmes to investigate the environments of quasars and the chemical evolution of galaxies. We publish here the list of all clusters with their basic parameters, and discuss some illustrative examples in more detail. The full FSVS Cluster Catalogue, together with images and lists of member galaxies etc., will be issued as part of the ‘NOAO (National Optical Astronomy Observatories) data products’, and accessible at http://www.noao.edu/dpp/. We describe the format of these data and access to them.