The largest virialized dark halo in the universe

Abstract

Using semi-analytic approach, we present an estimate of the properties of the largest virialized dark halos in the present universe for three different scenarios of structure formation: SCDM, LCDM and OCDM models. The resulting virial mass and temperature increase from the lowest values of $1.6 \times 10^{15}h^{-1}M_{\odot}$ and 9.8 keV in OCDM, the mid-range values of $9.0 \times 10^{15}h^{-1}M_{\odot}$ and 31 keV in LCDM, to the highest values of $20.9 \times 10^{15}h^{-1}M_{\odot}$, 65 keV in SCDM. As compared with the largest virialized object seen in the universe, the richest clusters of galaxies, we can safely rule out the OCDM model. In addition, the SCDM model is very unlikely because of the unreasonably high virial mass and temperature. Our computation favors the prevailing LCDM model in which superclusters may be marginally regarded as dynamically-virialized systems.