High-redshift Galaxy Clusters Research Articles

Galaxy clustering measurements out to redshift z ˜ 8 from Hubble Legacy Fields

ABSTRACT We present a novel approach for measuring the two-point correlation function of galaxies in narrow pencil beam surveys with varying depths. Our methodology is utilized to expand high-redshift galaxy clustering investigations up to z ∼ 8 by analysing a comprehensive sample consisting of Ng = 160 Lyman break galaxy candidates obtained through optical and near-infrared photometric data within the CANDELS GOODS data sets from the Hubble Space Telescope Legacy Fields. For bright sources with MUV < −19.8, we determine a galaxy bias of b = 9.33 ± 4.90 at $\overline{z} = 7.7$ and a correlation length of r0 = 10.74 ± 7.06 $h^{-1}\, \mathrm{Mpc}$. We obtain similar results for the XDF, with a galaxy bias measurement of b = 8.26 ± 3.41 at the same redshift for a slightly fainter sample with a median luminosity of MUV = −18.4. By comparing with dark-matter halo bias and employing abundance matching, we deduce a characteristic halo mass of Mh ∼ 1011.5 M⊙ and a duty cycle close to unity. To validate our approach for variable-depth data sets, we replicate the analysis in a region with near-uniform depth using a standard two-point correlation function estimator, yielding consistent outcomes. Our study not only provides a valuable tool for future utilization in JWST data sets but also suggests that the clustering of early galaxies continues to increase with redshift beyond z ≳ 8, potentially contributing to the existence of protocluster structures observed in early JWST imaging and spectroscopic surveys at z ≳ 8.

Toward neutrino mass from cosmology without optical depth information

With low-redshift probes reaching unprecedented precision, uncertainty of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) optical depth is expected to be the limiting factor for future cosmological neutrino mass constraints. In this paper, we discuss to what extent combinations of CMB lensing and galaxy survey measurements at low redshifts $z\ensuremath{\sim}0.5--5$ will be able to make competitive neutrino mass measurements without relying on any optical depth constraints. We find that the combination of LSST galaxies and CMB-S4 lensing should be able to achieve constraints on the neutrino mass sum of 25 meV without optical depth information, an independent measurement that is competitive with or slightly better than the constraint of 30 meV possible with CMB-S4 and present-day optical depth measurements. These constraints originate in both structure growth probed by cross-correlation tomography over a wide redshift range as well as, most importantly, the shape of the galaxy power spectrum measured over a large volume. We caution that possible complications such as higher-order biasing and systematic errors in the analysis of high-redshift galaxy clustering are only briefly discussed and may be non-negligible. Nevertheless, our results show that new kinds of high-precision neutrino mass measurements at and beyond the present-day optical depth limit may be possible.

Galaxy populations in the most distant SPT-SZ clusters

We investigate structural properties of massive galaxy populations in the central regions (< 0.7 r500) of five very massive (M200 > 4 × 1014 M⊙), high-redshift (1.4 ≲ z ≲ 1.7) galaxy clusters from the 2500 deg2 South Pole Telescope Sunyaev Zel’dovich effect (SPT-SZ) survey. We probe the connection between galaxy structure and broad stellar population properties at stellar masses of log(M/M⊙) > 10.85. We find that quiescent and star-forming cluster galaxy populations are largely dominated by bulge- and disk-dominated sources, respectively, with relative contributions being fully consistent with those of field counterparts. At the same time, the enhanced quiescent galaxy fraction observed in these clusters with respect to the coeval field is reflected in a significant morphology-density relation, with bulge-dominated galaxies already clearly dominating the massive galaxy population in these clusters at z ∼ 1.5. At face value, these observations show no significant environmental signatures in the correlation between broad structural and stellar population properties. In particular, the Sersic index and axis ratio distribution of massive, quiescent sources are consistent with field counterparts, in spite of the enhanced quiescent galaxy fraction in clusters. This consistency suggests a tight connection between quenching and structural evolution towards a bulge-dominated morphology, at least in the probed cluster regions and galaxy stellar mass range, irrespective of environment-related processes affecting star formation in cluster galaxies. We also probe the stellar mass–size relation of cluster galaxies, and find that star-forming and quiescent sources populate the mass–size plane in a manner largely similar to their field counterparts, with no evidence of a significant size difference for any probed sub-population. In particular, both quiescent and bulge-dominated cluster galaxies have average sizes at fixed stellar mass consistent with their counterparts in the field.

The eROSITA Final Equatorial-Depth Survey (eFEDS)

Aims. The eROSITA Final Equatorial-Depth Survey (eFEDS), executed during the performance verification phase of the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG)/eROSITA telescope, was completed in November 2019. One of the science goals of this survey is to demonstrate the ability of eROSITA to detect samples of clusters and groups at the final depth of the eROSITA all-sky survey.Methods. Because of the sizeable (≈26″ HEW FOV average) point-spread function of eROSITA, high-redshift clusters of galaxies or compact nearby groups hosting bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) can be misclassified as point sources by the source detection algorithms. A total of 346 galaxy clusters and groups in the redshift range of 0.1 < z < 1.3 were identified based on their red sequenc in the eFEDS point source catalog.Results. We examine the multiwavelength properties of these clusters and groups to understand the potential biases in our selection process and the completeness of the extent-selected sample. We find that the majority of the clusters and groups in the point source sample are indeed underluminous and compact compared to the extent-selected sample. Their faint X-ray emission, well below the flux limit of the extent-selected eFEDS clusters, and their compact X-ray emission are likely to be the main reason for this misclassification. In the sample, we confirm that 10% of the sources host AGN in their brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) through optical spectroscopy and visual inspection. By studying their X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio properties, we establish a method for identifying clusters and groups that host AGN in their BCGs. We successfully test this method on the current point source catalog through the Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectroscopy and find eight low-mass clusters and groups with active radio-loud AGN that are particularly bright in the infrared. They include eFEDS J091437.8+024558, eFEDS J083520.1+012516, and eFEDS J092227.1+043339 at redshifts 0.3−0.4.Conclusions. This study helps us to characterize and understand our selection process and assess the completeness of the eROSITA extent-selected samples. The method we developed will be used to identify high-redshift clusters, AGN-dominated groups, and low-mass clusters that are misclassified in the future eROSITA all-sky survey point source catalogs.

Mapping the intracluster medium temperature in the era of NIKA2 and MUSTANG-2

We present preliminary results from an on-going program that aims at mapping the intracluster medium (ICM) temperature of high redshift galaxy clusters from the MaDCoWS sample using a joint analysis of shallow X-ray data obtained by Chandra and high angular resolution Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (SZ) observations realized with the NIKA2 and MUSTANG-2 cameras. We also present preliminary results from an on-going Open Time program within the NIKA2 collaboration that aims at mapping the ICM temperature of a galaxy cluster at z = 0.45 from the resolved detection of the relativistic corrections to the SZ spectrum. These studies demonstrate how high angular resolution SZ observations will play a major role in the coming decade to push the investigation of ICM dynamics and non-gravitational processes to high redshift before the next generation X-ray observatories come into play.

MILCANN: A tSZ map for galaxy cluster detection assessed using a neural network

We present the first combination of a thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (tSZ) map with a multi-frequency quality assessment of the sky pixels based on artificial neural networks with the aim being to detect tSZ sources from submillimeter observations of the sky by Planck. We present the construction of the resulting filtered and cleaned tSZ map, MILCANN. We show that this combination leads to a significant reduction of noise fluctuations and foreground residuals compared to standard reconstructions of tSZ maps. From the MILCANN map, we constructed a tSZ source catalog of about 4000 sources with a purity of 90%. Finally, we compare this catalog with ancillary catalogs and show that the galaxy-cluster candidates in our catalog are essentially low-mass (down to M500 = 1014 M⊙) high-redshift (up to z ≤ 1) galaxy cluster candidates.

Clustering of red and blue galaxies around high-redshift 3C radio sources as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope

To properly understand the evolution of high-redshift galaxy clusters, both passive and star-forming galaxies have to be considered. Here we study the clustering environment of 21 radio galaxies and quasars at 1 < z < 2.5 from the third Cambridge catalog (3C). We use optical and near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope images with a 2′ field-of-view, where the filters encompass the rest-frame 4000 Å break. Passive red and star-forming blue galaxies were separated in the color–magnitude diagram using a redshift-dependent cut derived from galaxy evolution models. We find that about 16 of 21 radio sources inhabit a galaxy overdensity on scales of 250 kpc (30″) projected radius. The sample shows a diversity of red and blue overdensities and also sometimes a deficiency of blue galaxies in the center. The following tentative evolutionary trends are seen: extended proto-clusters with only weak overdensities at z > 1.6, red overdensities at 1.2 < z < 1.6, and red overdensities with an increased deficit of central blue galaxies at z < 1.2. Only a few 3C sources show a blue overdensity tracing active star-formation in the cluster centers; this rarity could indicate that the powerful quasar activity may quench star-formation in the vicinity of most radio sources. The derived number of central luminous red galaxies and the radial density profiles are comparable to those found in local clusters, indicating that some 3C clusters are already mass-rich and compact.

The history of metal enrichment traced by X-ray observations of high-redshift galaxy clusters

ABSTRACT We present the analysis of deep X-ray observations of 10 massive galaxy clusters at redshifts 1.05 < z < 1.71, with the primary goal of measuring the metallicity of the intracluster medium (ICM) at intermediate radii, to better constrain models of the metal enrichment of the intergalactic medium. The targets were selected from X-ray and Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect surveys, and observed with both the XMM–Newton and Chandra satellites. For each cluster, a precise gas mass profile was extracted, from which the value of r500 could be estimated. This allows us to define consistent radial ranges over which the metallicity measurements can be compared. In general, the data are of sufficient quality to extract meaningful metallicity measurements in two radial bins, r < 0.3r500 and 0.3 < r/r500 < 1.0. For the outer bin, the combined measurement for all 10 clusters, Z/Z⊙ = 0.21 ± 0.09, represents a substantial improvement in precision over previous results. This measurement is consistent with, but slightly lower than, the average metallicity of 0.315 solar measured at intermediate-to-large radii in low-redshift clusters. Combining our new high-redshift data with the previous low-redshift results allows us to place the tightest constraints to date on models of the evolution of cluster metallicity at intermediate radii. Adopting a power-law model of the form Z ∝ (1 + z)γ, we measure a slope $\gamma = -0.5^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$, consistent with the majority of the enrichment of the ICM having occurred at very early times and before massive clusters formed, but leaving open the possibility that some additional enrichment in these regions may have occurred since a redshift of 2.

The LOFAR and JVLA view of the distant steep spectrum radio halo in MACS J1149.5+2223

Context.Radio halos and relics are Mpc-scale diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters, which have a steep spectral indexα > 1 (defined asS ∝ ν−α). It has been proposed that halos and relics arise from particle acceleration induced by turbulence and weak shocks that are injected into the intracluster medium (ICM) during mergers.Aims.MACS J1149.5+2223 is a high-redshift (z = 0.544) galaxy cluster possibly hosting a radio halo and a relic. We analysed LOw Frequency Array (LOFAR), Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, andKarl G. JanskyVery Large Array (JVLA) radio data at 144, 323, and 1500 MHz, respectively. In addition, we analysed archivalChandraX-ray data to characterise the thermal and non-thermal properties of the cluster.Methods.We obtained radio images at different frequencies to investigate the spectral properties of the radio halo. We usedChandraX-ray images to constrain the thermal properties of the cluster and to search for discontinuities (due to cold fronts or shock fronts) in the surface brightness of the ICM. By combining radio and X-ray images, we carried out a point-to-point analysis to study the connection between the thermal and non-thermal emission.Results.We measured a steep spectrum of the halo, which can be described by a power-law withα = 1.49 ± 0.12 between 144 and 1500 MHz. The radio surface brightness distribution across the halo is found to correlate with the X-ray brightness of the ICM. The derived correlation shows a sub-linear slope in the range 0.4–0.6. We also report two possible cold fronts in north-east and north-west, but deeper X-ray observations are required to firmly constrain the properties of the upstream emission.Conclusions.We show that the combination of high-redshift, steep radio spectrum, and sub-linear radio-X scaling of the halo rules out hadronic models. An old (∼1 Gyr ago) major merger likely induced the formation of the halo through stochastic re-acceleration of relativistic electrons. We suggest that the two possible X-ray discontinuities may be part of the same cold front. In this case, the coolest gas pushed towards the north-west might be associated with the cool core of a sub-cluster involved in the major merger. The peculiar orientation of the south-east relic might indicate a different nature of this source and requires further investigation.

Exploiting NIKA2/XMM-Newtonimaging synergy for intermediate-mass high-zgalaxy clusters within the NIKA2 SZ large program

High-resolution mapping of the intracluster medium (ICM) up to high redshift and down to low masses is crucial to derive accurate mass estimates of the galaxy cluster and to understand the systematic effects affecting cosmological studies based on galaxy clusters. We present a spatially resolved Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (SZ)/X-ray analysis of ACT-CL J0215.4+0030, a high-redshift (z = 0.865) galaxy cluster of intermediate mass (M500 ≃ 3.5 × 1014 M⊙) observed as part of the ongoing NIKA2 SZ large program, which is a follow-up of a representative sample of objects at 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 0.9. In addition to the faintness and small angular size induced by its mass and redshift, the cluster is contaminated by point sources that significantly affect the SZ signal. This is therefore an interesting case study for the most challenging sources of the NIKA2 cluster sample. We present the NIKA2 observations of this cluster and the resulting data. We identified the point sources that affect the NIKA2 maps of the cluster as submillimeter galaxies with counterparts in catalogs of sources constructed by the SPIRE instrument on board theHerschelobservatory. We reconstructed the ICM pressure profile by performing a joint analysis of the SZ signal and of the point-source component in the NIKA2 150 GHz map. This cluster is a very weak source that lies below the selection limit of thePlanckcatalog. Nonetheless, we obtained high-quality estimates of the ICM thermodynamical properties with NIKA2. We compared the pressure profile extracted from the NIKA2 map to the pressure profile obtained from X-ray data alone by deprojecting the publicXMM-Newtonobservations of the cluster. We combined the NIKA2 pressure profile with the X-ray deprojected density to extract detailed information on the ICM. The radial distribution of its thermodynamic properties (the pressure, temperature and entropy) indicate that the cluster has a highly disturbed core. We also computed the hydrostatic mass of the cluster, which is compatible with estimations from SZ and X-ray scaling relations. We conclude that the NIKA2 SZ large program can deliver quality information on the thermodynamics of the ICM even for one of its faintest clusters after a careful treatment of the contamination by point sources.

The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey. X. Initial Results from a Sunyaev–Zeldovich Effect Study of Massive Galaxy Clusters at z > 1 Using MUSTANG2 on the GBT

Abstract The properties of galaxy clusters as a function of redshift can be utilized as an important cosmological tool. We present initial results from a program of follow-up observations of the Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect (SZE) in high-redshift galaxy clusters detected by the Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey (MaDCoWS) which uses infrared data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey (WISE) instrument. Using typical on-source integration times of 3–4 hr per cluster, MUSTANG2 on the Green Bank Telescope was able to measure strong detections of SZE decrements and statistically significant masses on 14 out of 16 targets. On the remaining two, weaker (3.7σ) detections of the SZE signal and strong upper limits on the masses were obtained. In this paper we present masses and pressure profiles of each target and outline the data analysis used to recover these quantities. Of the clusters with strong detections, three show significantly flatter pressure profiles while, from the MUSTANG2 data, five others show signs of disruption at their cores. However, outside of the cores of the clusters, we were unable to detect significant amounts of asymmetry. Finally, there are indications that the relationship between optical richness used by MaDCoWS and SZE-inferred mass may be significantly flatter than indicated in previous studies.

Constraining Annihilating Dark Matter Mass by the Radio Continuum Spectral Data of a High-redshift Galaxy Cluster

Abstract In the past decade, the properties of annihilating dark matter models were examined by various kinds of data, including the data of gamma-rays, radio waves, X-rays, positrons, electrons, antiprotons and neutrinos. In particular, most of the studies focus on the data of our Galaxy, nearby galaxies (e.g., M31 galaxy) or nearby galaxy clusters (e.g., Fornax cluster). In this article, we examine the archival radio continuum spectral data of a relatively high-redshift galaxy cluster (A697 cluster) to constrain the properties of annihilating dark matter. We find that leptophilic annihilation channels (e + e −, μ + μ −, and τ + τ −) can give very good fits to the radio continuum spectrum of the A697 cluster.

Diffuse radio sources in a statistically complete sample of high-redshift galaxy clusters

Aims. Non-thermal properties of galaxy clusters have been studied using detailed and deep radio images in comparison with X-ray data. While much progress has been made in this area, most of the studied clusters are at a relatively low redshift (z < 0.3). Here we investigate the evolutionary properties of the non-thermal cluster emission using two statistically complete samples at z > 0.3. Methods. We obtained short JVLA observations at the L-band of the statistically complete sample of very X-ray luminous clusters from the Massive Cluster Survey (MACS), namely 34 clusters in the redshift range of 0.3–0.5 and with nominal X-ray fluxes in excess of 2 × 10−12 erg s−1 cm−2 (0.1–2.4 keV) in the ROSAT Bright Source Catalogue. We add to this list the complete sample of the 12 most distant MACS clusters (z > 0.5). Results. Most clusters show evidence of emission in the radio regime. We present the radio properties of all clusters in our sample and show images of newly detected diffuse sources. A radio halo is detected in 19 clusters and five clusters contain a relic source. Most of the brightest cluster galaxies (BCG) in relaxed clusters show radio emission with powers typical of FRII radio galaxies and some are surrounded by a radio mini-halo. Conclusions. The high frequency of radio emission from the BCG in relaxed clusters suggests that BCG feedback mechanisms are already in place at z ∼ 0.6. The properties of radio halos and the small number of detected relics suggest redshift evolution in the properties of diffuse sources. The radio power (and size) of radio halos could be related to the number of past merger events in the history of the system. In this scenario, the presence of a giant and high-power radio halo is indicative of an evolved system with a large number of past major mergers, whereas small low-power halos are found in less evolved clusters.

Evidence of Runaway Gas Cooling in the Absence of Supermassive Black Hole Feedback at the Epoch of Cluster Formation

Abstract Cosmological simulations, as well as mounting evidence from observations, have shown that supermassive black holes play a fundamental role in regulating the formation of stars throughout cosmic time. This has been clearly demonstrated in the case of galaxy clusters in which powerful feedback from the central black hole is preventing the hot intracluster gas from cooling catastrophically, thus reducing the expected star formation rates by orders of magnitude. These conclusions, however, have been almost entirely based on nearby clusters. Based on new Chandra X-ray observations, we present the first observational evidence for massive, runaway cooling occurring in the absence of supermassive black hole feedback in the high-redshift galaxy cluster SpARCS104922.6 + 564032.5 (z = 1.709). The hot intracluster gas appears to be fueling a massive burst of star formation (≈900 M ⊙ yr−1) that is offset by dozens of kpc from the central galaxy. The burst is co-spatial with the coolest intracluster gas but not associated with any galaxy in the cluster. In less than 100 million years, such runaway cooling can form the same amount of stars as in the Milky Way. Therefore, intracluster stars are not only produced by tidal stripping and the disruption of cluster galaxies, but can also be produced by runaway cooling of hot intracluster gas at early times. Overall, these observations show the dramatic impact when supermassive black hole feedback fails to operate in clusters. They indicate that in the highest overdensities, such as clusters and protoclusters, runaway cooling may be a new and important mechanism for fueling massive bursts of star formation in the early universe.

Constraining the masses of high-redshift clusters with weak lensing: Revised shape calibration testing for the impact of stronger shears and increased blending

Weak lensing measurements suffer from well-known shear estimation biases, which can be partially corrected for with the use of image simulations. In this work we present an analysis of simulated images that mimic Hubble Space Telescope/Advance Camera for Surveys observations of high-redshift galaxy clusters, including cluster specific issues such as non-weak shear and increased blending. Our synthetic galaxies have been generated to have similar observed properties as the background-selected source samples studied in the real images. First, we used simulations with galaxies placed on a grid to determine a revised signal-to-noise-dependent (S/NKSB) correction for multiplicative shear measurement bias, and to quantify the sensitivity of our KSB+ bias calibration to mismatches of galaxy or PSF properties between the real data and the simulations. Next, we studied the impact of increased blending and light contamination from cluster and foreground galaxies, finding it to be negligible for high-redshift (z > 0.7) clusters, whereas shear measurements can be affected at the ∼1% level for lower redshift clusters given their brighter member galaxies. Finally, we studied the impact of fainter neighbours and selection bias using a set of simulated images that mimic the positions and magnitudes of galaxies in Cosmic Assembly Near-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS) data, thereby including realistic clustering. While the initial SExtractor object detection causes a multiplicative shear selection bias of −0.028 ± 0.002, this is reduced to −0.016 ± 0.002 by further cuts applied in our pipeline. Given the limited depth of the CANDELS data, we compared our CANDELS-based estimate for the impact of faint neighbours on the multiplicative shear measurement bias to a grid-based analysis, to which we added clustered galaxies to even fainter magnitudes based on Hubble Ultra Deep Field data, yielding a refined estimate of ∼ − 0.013. Our sensitivity analysis suggests that our pipeline is calibrated to an accuracy of ∼0.015 once all corrections are applied, which is fully sufficient for current and near-future weak lensing studies of high-redshift clusters. As an application, we used it for a refined analysis of three highly relaxed clusters from the South Pole Telescope Sunyaev-Zeldovich survey, where we now included measurements down to the cluster core (r > 200 kpc) as enabled by our work. Compared to previously employed scales (r > 500 kpc), this tightens the cluster mass constraints by a factor 1.38 on average.

The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey

Context. The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey (MaDCoWS) provides a catalog of high-redshift (0.7 ≲ z ≲ 1.5) infrared-selected galaxy clusters. However, the verification of the ionized intracluster medium, indicative of a collapsed and nearly virialized system, is made challenging by the high redshifts of the sample members. Aims. The main goal of this work is to test the capabilities of the Atacama Compact Array (ACA; also known as the Morita Array) Band 3 observations, centered at about 97.5 GHz, to provide robust validation of cluster detections via the thermal Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect. Methods. Using a pilot sample that comprises ten MaDCoWS galaxy clusters, accessible to ACA and representative of the median sample richness, we infer the masses of the selected galaxy clusters and respective detection significance by means of a Bayesian analysis of the interferometric data. Results. Our test of the Verification with the ACA – Localization and Cluster Analysis (VACA LoCA) program demonstrates that the ACA can robustly confirm the presence of the virialized intracluster medium in galaxy clusters previously identified in full-sky surveys. In particular, we obtain a significant detection of the SZ effect for seven out of the ten VACA LoCA clusters. We note that this result is independent of the assumed pressure profile. However, the limited angular dynamic range of the ACA in Band 3 alone, short observational integration times, and possible contamination from unresolved sources limit the detailed characterization of the cluster properties and the inference of the cluster masses within scales appropriate for the robust calibration of mass–richness scaling relations.

Unveiling the Merger Dynamics of the Most Massive MaDCoWS Cluster at z = 1.2 from a Multiwavelength Mapping of Its Intracluster Medium Properties

Abstract The characterization of the Intracluster Medium (ICM) properties of high-redshift galaxy clusters is fundamental to our understanding of large-scale structure formation processes. We present the results of a multiwavelength analysis of the very massive cluster MOO J1142+1527 at a redshift z = 1.2 discovered as part of the Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey. This analysis is based on high angular resolution Chandra X-ray and NIKA2 Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) data. The cluster thermodynamic radial profiles have been obtained with unprecedented precision at this redshift and up to 0.7R 500, thanks to the combination of high-resolution X-ray and SZ data. The comparison between the galaxy distribution mapped in infrared by Spitzer and the morphological properties of the ICM derived from the combined analysis of the Chandra and NIKA2 data leads us to the conclusion that the cluster is an ongoing merger. We have estimated a systematic uncertainty on the cluster total mass that characterizes both the impact of the observed deviations from spherical symmetry and of the core dynamics on the mass profile. We further combine the X-ray and SZ data at the pixel level to obtain maps of the temperature and entropy distributions. We find a relatively low-entropy core at the position of the X-ray peak and high-temperature regions located on its south and west sides. This work demonstrates that the addition of spatially resolved SZ observations to low signal-to-noise X-ray data brings a high information gain on the characterization of the evolution of ICM thermodynamic properties at z > 1.

Hawaii Two-0: high-redshift galaxy clustering and bias

ABSTRACT We perform an analysis of two-point galaxy clustering and galaxy bias using Subaru Hyper-Suprime Cam (HSC) data taken jointly by the Subaru Strategic Program and the University of Hawaii in the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field over an area of 1.8 sq deg. The depth of the data is similar to the ongoing Hawaii Two-0 (H20) optical galaxy survey, thus the results are indicative of future constraints from tenfold area. We measure the angular autopower spectra of the galaxy overdensity in three redshift bins, defined by dropouts from the g, r, and i bands, and compare them to the theoretical expectation from concordance cosmology with linear galaxy bias. We determine the redshift distribution of each bin using a standard template-based photometric redshift method, coupled with a self-organizing map to quantify colour space coverage. We also investigate sources of systematic errors to inform the methodology and requirements for H20. The linear galaxy bias fit results are $b_{\mathrm{gal,g}} = 3.90 \pm 0.33 (\mathrm{stat}) \substack{ +0.64 \\ -0.24 } (\mathrm{sys})$ at redshift z ≃ 3.7, $b_{\mathrm{gal,r}} = 8.44 \pm 0.63 (\mathrm{stat}) \substack{ +1.42 \\ -0.72 } (\mathrm{sys})$ at z ≃ 4.7, and $b_{\mathrm{gal,i}} = 11.94 \pm 2.24 (\mathrm{stat}) \substack{ +1.82 \\ -1.27 } (\mathrm{sys})$ at z ≃ 5.9.

LOFAR Discovery of a Radio Halo in the High-redshift Galaxy Cluster PSZ2 G099.86+58.45

Abstract In this Letter, we report the discovery of a radio halo in the high-redshift galaxy cluster PSZ2 G099.86+58.45 (z = 0.616) with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) at 120–168 MHz. This is one of the most distant radio halos discovered so far. The diffuse emission extends over ∼1 Mpc and has a morphology similar to that of the X-ray emission as revealed by XMM-Newton data. The halo is very faint at higher frequencies and is barely detected by follow-up 1–2 GHz Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array observations, which enable us to constrain the radio spectral index to be α ≲ 1.5–1.6, i.e., with properties between canonical and ultra-steep spectrum radio halos. Radio halos are currently explained as synchrotron radiation from relativistic electrons that are re-accelerated in the intracluster medium by turbulence driven by energetic mergers. We show that in such a framework radio halos are expected to be relatively common at ∼150 MHz (∼30%–60%) in clusters with mass and redshift similar to PSZ2 G099.86+58.45; however, at least two-thirds of these radio halos should have a steep spectrum and thus be very faint above ∼1 GHz frequencies. Furthermore, because the luminosity of radio halos at high redshift depends strongly on the magnetic field strength in the hosting clusters, future LOFAR observations will also provide vital information on the origin and amplification of magnetic fields in galaxy clusters.

Optical follow-up study of 32 high-redshift galaxy cluster candidates from Planck with the William Herschel Telescope

Abstract The Planck satellite has detected cluster candidates via the Sunyaev Zel’dovich (SZ) effect, but the optical follow-up required to confirm these candidates is still incomplete, especially at high redshifts and for SZ detections at low significance. In this work, we present our analysis of optical observations obtained for 32 Planck cluster candidates using ACAM on the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope. These cluster candidates were pre-selected using SDSS, WISE, and Pan-STARRS images to likely represent distant clusters at redshifts z ≳ 0.7. We obtain photometric redshift and richness estimates for all of the cluster candidates from a red-sequence analysis of r-, i-, and z-band imaging data. In addition, long-slit observations allow us to measure the redshifts of a subset of the clusters spectroscopically. The optical richness is often lower than expected from the inferred SZ mass when compared to scaling relations previously calibrated at low redshifts. This likely indicates the impact of Eddington bias and projection effects or noise-induced detections, especially at low-SZ significance. Thus, optical follow-up not only provides redshift measurements, but also an important independent verification method. We find that 18 (7) of the candidates at redshifts z > 0.5 (z > 0.8) are at least half as rich as expected from scaling relations, thereby clearly confirming these candidates as massive clusters. While the complex selection function of our sample due to our pre-selection hampers its use for cosmological studies, we do provide a validation of massive high-redshift clusters particularly suitable for further astrophysical investigations.