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E. Tempel

Publications and source records attributed to E. Tempel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The miniJPAS survey: Maximising the photo-z accuracy from multi-survey datasets with probability conflation

We present a new method for obtaining photometric redshifts (photo-z) for sources observed by multiple photometric surveys using a combination (conflation) of the redshift probability distributions (PDZs) obtained independently from each survey. The conflation of the PDZs has several advantages over the usual method of modelling all the photometry together, including modularity, speed, and accuracy of the results. Using a sample of galaxies with narrow-band photometry in 56 bands from J-PAS and deeper grizy photometry from the Hyper-SuprimeCam Subaru Strategic program (HSC-SSP), we show that PDZ conflation significantly improves photo-z accuracy compared to fitting all the photometry or using a weighted average of point estimates. The improvement over J-PAS alone is particularly strong for i>22 sources, which have low signal-to-noise ratio in the J-PAS bands. For the entire i<22.5 sample, we obtain a 64% (45%) increase in the number of sources with redshift errors |Dz|<0.003, a factor 3.3 (1.9) decrease in the normalised median absolute deviation of the errors (sigma_NMAD), and a factor 3.2 (1.3) decrease in the outlier rate compared to J-PAS (HSC-SSP) alone. The photo-z accuracy gains from combining the PDZs of J-PAS with a deeper broadband survey such as HSC-SSP are equivalent to increasing the depth of J-PAS observations by ~1.2--1.5 magnitudes. These results demonstrate the potential of PDZ conflation and highlight the importance of including the full PDZs in photo-z catalogues.

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Cosmic metal invaders: Intergalactic OVII as a tracer of the warm-hot intergalactic medium within cosmic filaments in the EAGLE simulation

The current observational status of the hot (log T(K) > 5.5) warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) remains incomplete. While recent observations from stacking large numbers of Cosmic Web filaments have yielded statistically significant detections, direct measurements of single objects remain scarce. The lack of such a sample currently prevents a robust analysis of the cosmic baryon content composed of the hot WHIM, which could help solve the cosmological missing baryons problem. To improve the search for the missing baryons, we used the EAGLE simulation. Our aim is to understand the metal enrichment and distribution of highly ionised metals in the Cosmic Web. We detected the filaments by applying the Bisous formalism to the simulated galaxies, and characterised the spatial distributions as well as mass and volume fractions of the filamentary oxygen and OVII. We then constructed OVII column density maps and determined their detectability with Athena X-IFU. However, the oxygen and OVII number densities drop fast beyond the virial radii of haloes, falling below detectable levels at 700 kpc. Thus, only ~1% of the filament volumes are filled with OVII at detectable densities. This non-homogeneous distribution of the OVII complicates its usage for tracing the missing baryons. Instead, OVII forms narrow envelopes around haloes. This localised nature results in a low chance (10-20% per sight line) of detecting intergalactic OVII with Athena X-IFU within the SDSS catalogue of filaments. With future filament samples from the 4MOST survey, the chances increase up to a level of ~50%. Nonetheless, based on EAGLE results, this would not be enough to conclusively solve the missing baryon problem, as it would be limited to a few times the virial radii of haloes. Fortunately, the volumes around haloes are dense in hot WHIM, and tracing it could reduce the content of baryons still missing by ~25%.

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TOPz: Photometric redshifts for J-PAS

The importance of photometric galaxy redshift estimation is rapidly increasing with the development of specialised powerful observational facilities. We develop a new photometric redshift estimation workflow TOPz to provide reliable and efficient redshift estimations for the upcoming large-scale survey J-PAS which will observe 8500 deg2 of the northern sky through 54 narrow-band filters. TOPz relies on template-based photo-z estimation with some added J-PAS specific features and possibilities. We present TOPz performance on data from the miniJPAS survey, a precursor to the J-PAS survey with an identical filter system. First, we generated spectral templates based on the miniJPAS sources using the synthetic galaxy spectrum generation software CIGALE. Then we applied corrections to the input photometry by minimising systematic offsets from the template flux in each filter. To assess the accuracy of the redshift estimation, we used spectroscopic redshifts from the DEEP2, DEEP3, and SDSS surveys, available for 1989 miniJPAS galaxies with r < 22 magAB. We also tested how the choice and number of input templates, photo-z priors, and photometric corrections affect the TOPz redshift accuracy. The general performance of the combination of miniJPAS data and the TOPz workflow fulfills the expectations for J-PAS redshift accuracy. Similarly to previous estimates, we find that 38.6% of galaxies with r < 22 mag reach the J-PAS redshift accuracy goal of dz/(1 + z) < 0.003. Limiting the number of spectra in the template set improves the redshift accuracy up to 5%, especially for fainter, noise-dominated sources. Further improvements will be possible once the actual J-PAS data become available.

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J-PLUS: Systematic impact of metallicity on photometric calibration with the stellar locus

We present the updated photometric calibration of the twelve optical passbands for the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS) second data release (DR2), comprising 1088 pointings of two square degrees, and study the systematic impact of metallicity in the stellar locus technique. The [Fe/H] metallicity from LAMOST DR5 for 146184 high-quality calibration stars, defined with S/N > 10 in J-PLUS passbands and S/N > 3 in Gaia parallax, was used to compute the metallicity-dependent stellar locus (ZSL). The initial homogenization of J-PLUS photometry, performed with a unique stellar locus, was refined by including the metallicity effect in colours via the ZSL. The variation of the average metallicity along the Milky Way produces a systematic offset in J-PLUS calibration. This effect is well above 1% for the bluer passbands and amounts 0.07, 0.07, 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02 mag in u, J0378, J0395, J0410, and J0430, respectively. We modelled this effect with the Milky Way location of the J-PLUS pointing, providing also an updated calibration for those observations without LAMOST information. The estimated accuracy in the calibration after including the metallicity effect is at 1% level for the bluer J-PLUS passbands and below for the rest. We conclude that photometric calibration with the stellar locus technique is prone to significant systematic bias along the Milky Way location for passbands bluer than lambda = 4500 A. The updated calibration method for J-PLUS DR2 reaches 1-2% precision and 1% accuracy for twelve optical filters within an area of 2176 square degrees.

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The miniJPAS survey: the photometric redshift catalogue

MiniJPAS is a ~1 deg^2 imaging survey of the AEGIS field in 60 bands, performed to demonstrate the scientific potential of the upcoming JPAS survey. Full coverage of the 3800-9100 Årange with 54 narrow and 6 broad optical filters allow for extremely accurate photo-z, which applied over 1000s of deg^2 will enable new applications of the photo-z technique such as measurement of baryonic acoustic oscillations. In this paper we describe the method used to obtain the photo-z included in the publicly available miniJPAS catalogue, and characterise the photo-z performance. We build 100 Åresolution photo-spectra from the PSF-corrected forced-aperture photometry. Systematic offsets in the photometry are corrected by applying magnitude shifts obtained through iterative fitting with stellar population synthesis models. We compute photo-z with a customised version of LePhare, using a set of templates optimised for the J-PAS filter-set. We analyse the accuracy of miniJPAS photo-z and their dependence on multiple quantities using a subsample of 5,266 galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts from SDSS and DEEP, that we find to be representative of the whole r<23 miniJPAS sample. Formal uncertainties for the photo-z that are calculated with the δχ^2 method underestimate the actual redshift errors. The odds parameter has the stronger correlation with |Dz|, and accurately reproduces the probability of a redshift outlier (|Dz|>0.03) irrespective of the magnitude, redshift, or spectral type of the sources. We show that the two main summary statistics characterising the photo-z accuracy for a population of galaxies (snmad and η) can be predicted by the distribution of odds in such population, and use this to estimate them for the whole miniJPAS sample. At r<23 there are 17,500 galaxies/deg^2 with valid photo-z estimates, of which 4,200 are expected to have |Dz|<0.003 (abridged).

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The miniJPAS survey: Identification and characterization of galaxy populations with the J-PAS photometric system

J-PAS will soon start imaging 8000 deg2 of the northern sky with its unique set of 56 filters (R $\sim$ 60). Before, we observed 1 deg2 on the AEGIS field with an interim camera with all the J-PAS filters. With this data (miniJPAS), we aim at proving the scientific potential of J-PAS to identify and characterize the galaxy populations with the goal of performing galaxy evolution studies across cosmic time. Several SED-fitting codes are used to constrain the stellar population properties of a complete flux-limited sample (rSDSS <= 22.5 AB) of miniJPAS galaxies that extends up to z = 1. We find consistent results on the galaxy properties derived from the different codes, independently of the galaxy spectral-type or redshift. For galaxies with SNR>=10, we estimate that the J-PAS photometric system allows to derive stellar population properties with a precision that is equivalent to that obtained with spectroscopic surveys of similar SNR. By using the dust-corrected (u-r) colour-mass diagram, a powerful proxy to characterize galaxy populations, we find that the fraction of red and blue galaxies evolves with cosmic time, with red galaxies being $\sim$ 38% and $\sim$ 18% of the whole population at z = 0.1 and z = 0.5, respectively. At all redshifts, the more massive galaxies belong to the red sequence and these galaxies are typically older and more metal rich than their counterparts in the blue cloud. Our results confirm that with J-PAS data we will be able to analyze large samples of galaxies up to z $\sim$ 1, with galaxy stellar masses above of log(M$_*$/M$_{\odot}$) $\sim$ 8.9, 9.5, and 9.9 at z = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7, respectively. The SFH of a complete sub-sample of galaxies selected at z $\sim$ 0.1 with log(M$_*$/M$_{\odot}$) > 8.3 constrain the cosmic evolution of the star formation rate density up to z $\sim$ 3 in good agreement with results from cosmological surveys.

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The miniJPAS survey: star-galaxy classification using machine learning

Future astrophysical surveys such as J-PAS will produce very large datasets, which will require the deployment of accurate and efficient Machine Learning (ML) methods. In this work, we analyze the miniJPAS survey, which observed about 1 deg2 of the AEGIS field with 56 narrow-band filters and 4 ugri broad-band filters. We discuss the classification of miniJPAS sources into extended (galaxies) and point-like (e.g. stars) objects, a necessary step for the subsequent scientific analyses. We aim at developing an ML classifier that is complementary to traditional tools based on explicit modeling. In order to train and test our classifiers, we crossmatched the miniJPAS dataset with SDSS and HSC-SSP data. We trained and tested 6 different ML algorithms on the two crossmatched catalogs. As input for the ML algorithms we use the magnitudes from the 60 filters together with their errors, with and without the morphological parameters. We also use the mean PSF in the r detection band for each pointing. We find that the RF and ERT algorithms perform best in all scenarios. When analyzing the full magnitude range of 15 21). We use our best classifiers, with and without morphology, in order to produce a value added catalog available at https://j-pas.org/datareleases .

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The miniJPAS survey: a preview of the Universe in 56 colours

The Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) will soon start to scan thousands of square degrees of the northern extragalactic sky with a unique set of $56$ optical filters from a dedicated $2.55$m telescope, JST, at the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory. Before the arrival of the final instrument (a 1.2 Gpixels, 4.2deg$^2$ field-of-view camera), the JST was equipped with an interim camera (JPAS-Pathfinder), composed of one CCD with a 0.3deg$^2$ field-of-view and resolution of 0.23 arcsec pixel$^{-1}$. To demonstrate the scientific potential of J-PAS, with the JPAS-Pathfinder camera we carried out a survey on the AEGIS field (along the Extended Groth Strip), dubbed miniJPAS. We observed a total of $\sim 1$ deg$^2$, with the $56$ J-PAS filters, which include $54$ narrow band (NB, $\rm{FWHM} \sim 145$Angstrom) and two broader filters extending to the UV and the near-infrared, complemented by the $u,g,r,i$ SDSS broad band (BB) filters. In this paper we present the miniJPAS data set, the details of the catalogues and data access, and illustrate the scientific potential of our multi-band data. The data surpass the target depths originally planned for J-PAS, reaching $\rm{mag}_{\rm {AB}}$ between $\sim 22$ and $23.5$ for the NB filters and up to $24$ for the BB filters ($5σ$ in a $3$~arcsec aperture). The miniJPAS primary catalogue contains more than $64,000$ sources extracted in the $r$ detection band with forced photometry in all other bands. We estimate the catalogue to be complete up to $r=23.6$ for point-like sources and up to $r=22.7$ for extended sources. Photometric redshifts reach subpercent precision for all sources up to $r=22.5$, and a precision of $\sim 0.3$% for about half of the sample. (Abridged)

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An optimised tiling pattern for multi-object spectroscopic surveys: application to the 4MOST survey

Large multi-object spectroscopic surveys require automated algorithms to optimise their observing strategy. One of the most ambitious upcoming spectroscopic surveys is the 4MOST survey. The 4MOST survey facility is a fibre-fed spectroscopic instrument on the VISTA telescope with a large enough field of view to survey a large fraction of the southern sky within a few years. Several Galactic and extragalactic surveys will be carried out simultaneously, so the combined target density will strongly vary. In this paper, we describe a new tiling algorithm that can naturally deal with the large target density variations on the sky and which automatically handles the different exposure times of targets. The tiling pattern is modelled as a marked point process, which is characterised by a probability density that integrates the requirements imposed by the 4MOST survey. The optimal tilling pattern with respect to the defined model is estimated by the tiles configuration that maximises the proposed probability density. In order to achieve this maximisation a simulated annealing algorithm is implemented. The algorithm automatically finds an optimal tiling pattern and assigns a tentative sky brightness condition and exposure time for each tile, while minimising the total execution time that is needed to observe the list of targets in the combined input catalogue of all surveys. Hence, the algorithm maximises the long-term observing efficiency and provides an optimal tiling solution for the survey. While designed for the 4MOST survey, the algorithm is flexible and can with simple modifications be applied to any other multi-object spectroscopic survey.

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Probabilistic fibre-to-target assignment algorithm for multi-object spectroscopic surveys

Context. Several new multi-object spectrographs are currently planned or under construction that are capable of observing thousands of Galactic and extragalactic objects simultaneously. Aims. In this paper we present a probabilistic fibre-to-target assignment algorithm that takes spectrograph targeting constraints into account and is capable of dealing with multiple concurrent surveys. We present this algorithm using the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) as an example. Methods. The key idea of the proposed algorithm is to assign probabilities to fibre-target pairs. The assignment of probabilities takes the fibre positioner's capabilities and constraints into account. Additionally, these probabilities include requirements from surveys and take the required exposure time, number density variation, and angular clustering of targets across each survey into account. The main advantage of a probabilistic approach is that it allows for accurate and easy computation of the target selection function for the different surveys, which involves determining the probability of observing a target, given an input catalogue. Results. The probabilistic fibre-to-target assignment allows us to achieve maximally uniform completeness within a single field of view. The proposed algorithm maximises the fraction of successfully observed targets whilst minimising the selection bias as a function of exposure time. In the case of several concurrent surveys, the algorithm maximally satisfies the scientific requirements of each survey and no specific survey is penalised or prioritised. Conclusions. The algorithm presented is a proposed solution for the 4MOST project that allows for an unbiased targeting of many simultaneous surveys. With some modifications, the algorithm may also be applied to other multi-object spectroscopic surveys.

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J-PLUS: the impact of bars on quenching time-scales in nearby green valley disc galaxies

In a framework where galaxies mostly migrate on the colour-magnitude diagram from star-forming to quiescent, the green valley is considered a transitional galaxy stage. The details of the processes that drive galaxies from star-forming to passive systems still remain unknown. We developed a method that estimates empirically the star formation quenching times-scales of green valley galaxies, assuming an exponential decay model of the SFH and through a combination of narrow and broad bands from J-PLUS and GALEX. We correlate these quenching time-scales with the presence of bars. We find that the J-PLUS colours F0395-g and F0415-g are sensitive to different SFH, showing, a clear correlation with the Dn(4000) and H-delta,A spectral indices. We find that quenching time-scales obtained with our new approach are in agreement with those determined using spectral indices. We also find that galaxies with high bar probability tend to quench their star formation slowly. We conclude that: 1) J-PLUS filters can be used to measure quenching timescales in nearby green valley galaxies; and 2) the resulting star formation quenching time-scales are longer for barred green valley galaxies. Considering that the presence of a bar indicates that more violent processes (e.g., major mergers) are absent in host galaxies, we conclude that the presence of a bar can be used as a morphological signature for slow star formation quenching.

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4MOST Scientific Operations

The 4MOST instrument is a multi-object spectrograph that will address Galactic and extragalactic science cases simultaneously by observing targets from a large number of different surveys within each science exposure. This parallel mode of operation and the survey nature of 4MOST require some distinct 4MOST-specific operational features within the overall operations model of ESO. The main feature is that the 4MOST Consortium will deliver, not only the instrument, but also contractual services to the user community, which is why 4MOST is also described as a facility. This white paper concentrates on information particularly useful to answering the forthcoming Call for Letters of Intent.

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4MOST Survey Strategy Plan

The current status of and motivation for the 4MOST Survey Strategy, as developed by the Consortium science team, are presented here. Key elements of the strategy are described, such as sky coverage, number of visits and total exposure times in different parts of the sky, and how to deal with different observing conditions. The task of organising the strategy is not simple, with many different surveys that have vastly different target brightnesses and densities, sample completeness levels, and signal-to-noise requirements. We introduce here a number of concepts that we will use to ensure all surveys are optimised. Astronomers who are planning to submit a Participating Survey proposal are strongly encouraged to read this article and any relevant 4MOST Survey articles in this issue of The Messenger such that they can optimally complement and benefit from the planned surveys of the 4MOST Consortium.

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4MOST Consortium Survey 5: eROSITA Galaxy Cluster Redshift Survey

Groups and clusters of galaxies are a current focus of astronomical research owing to their role in determining the environmental effects on galaxies and the constraints they provide to cosmology. The eROSITA X-ray telescope on board the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma observatory will be launched in 2019 and will have completed eight scans of the full sky when 4MOST starts operating. The experiment will detect groups and clusters of galaxies through X-ray emission from the hot intergalactic medium. The purpose of the 4MOST eROSITA Galaxy Cluster Redshift Survey is to provide spectroscopic redshifts of the optical counterparts to the X-ray emission from 40,000 groups and clusters of galaxies so as to perform dynamical estimates of the total mass and to measure the properties of the member galaxies. The survey aims to obtain precise redshift measurements of the photometrically identified brightest cluster galaxies at redshift $z > 0.7$. At lower redshifts ($z < 0.7$), the programme aims to sample over 15 member galaxies per cluster and enable dynamical mass measurements to calibrate the clusters for cosmological experiments. At $z < 0.2$, eROSITA will also detect X-ray emission from galaxy groups and filaments. 4MOST spectroscopic data from the survey will be used for optical identification of galaxy groups down to eROSITA's mass detection limits of $10^{13} M_\odot$, as well as the detection of the largest filaments for pioneering studies of their X-ray emission.

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4MOST Consortium Survey 8: Cosmology Redshift Survey (CRS)

The 4MOST Cosmology Redshift Survey (CRS) will perform stringent cosmological tests via spectroscopic clustering measurements that will complement the best lensing, cosmic microwave background and other surveys in the southern hemisphere. The combination of carefully selected samples of bright galaxies, luminous red galaxies, emission-line galaxies and quasars, totalling about 8 million objects over the redshift range $z = 0.15$ to $3.5$, will allow definitive tests of gravitational physics. Many key science questions will be addressed by combining CRS spectra of these targets with data from current or future facilities such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, the Square Kilometre Array and the Euclid mission.

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To be or not to be: hot WHIM absorption in the blazar PKS 2155-304 sight line?

The cosmological missing baryons at z<1 most likely hide in the hot (T$\gtrsim10^{5.5}$ K) phase of the Warm Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM). While the hot WHIM is hard to detect due to its high ionisation level, the warm (T$\lesssim10^{5.5}$ K) phase of the WHIM has been very robustly detected in the FUV band. We adopted the assumption that the hot and warm WHIM phases are co-located and thus used the FUV-detected warm WHIM as a tracer for the cosmologically interesting hot WHIM. We utilised the assumption by performing an X-ray follow-up in the sight line of a blazar PKS 2155-304 at the redshifts where previous FUV measurements of OVI, SiIV and BLA absorption have indicated the existence of the warm WHIM. We looked for the OVII He$α$ and OVIII Ly$α$ absorption lines, the most likely hot WHIM tracers. Despite of the very large exposure time ($\approx$ 1 Ms), the XMM-Newton/RGS1 data yielded no significant detection which corresponds to upper limits of $\log{N({\rm OVII})({\rm cm}^{-2}))} \le 14.5-15.2$ and $\log{N({\rm OVIII})({\rm cm}^{-2}))} \le 14.9-15.2$. An analysis of LETG/HRC data yielded consistent results. However, the LETG/ACIS data yielded a detection of an absorption line - like feature at $λ\approx$ 20 Å at simple one parameter uncertainty - based confidence level of 3.7 $σ$, consistently with several earlier LETG/ACIS reports. Given the high statistical quality of the RGS1 data, the possibility of RGS1 accidentally missing the true line at $λ\sim$ 20 Å is very low, 0.006%. Neglecting this, the LETG/ACIS detection can be interpreted as Ly$α$ transition of OVIII at one of the redshifts (z$\approx$ 0.054) of FUV-detected warm WHIM. Given the very convincing X-ray spectral evidence for and against the existence of the $λ\sim$ 20 Å feature, we cannot conclude whether or not it is a true astrophysical absorption line.

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Galaxy Cluster Mass Reconstruction Project - IV. Understanding the effects of imperfect membership on cluster mass estimation

The primary difficulty in measuring dynamical masses of galaxy clusters from galaxy data lies in the separation between true cluster members from interloping galaxies along the line of sight. We study the impact of membership contamination and incompleteness on cluster mass estimates obtained with 25 commonly used techniques applied to nearly 1000 mock clusters. We show that all methods overestimate or underestimate cluster masses when applied to contaminated or incomplete galaxy samples respectively. This appears to be the main source of the intrinsic scatter in the mass scaling relation. Applying corrections based on a prior knowledge of contamination and incompleteness can reduce the scatter to the level of shot noise expected for poorly sampled clusters. We establish an empirical model quantifying the effect of imperfect membership on cluster mass estimation and discuss its universal and method-dependent features. We find that both imperfect membership and the response of the mass estimators depend on cluster mass, effectively causing a flattening of the estimated - true mass relation. Imperfect membership thus alters cluster counts determined from spectroscopic surveys, hence the cosmological parameters that depend on such counts.

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Galaxy Cluster Mass Reconstruction Project: III. The impact of dynamical substructure on cluster mass estimates

With the advent of wide-field cosmological surveys, we are approaching samples of hundreds of thousands of galaxy clusters. While such large numbers will help reduce statistical uncertainties, the control of systematics in cluster masses becomes ever more crucial. Here we examine the effects of an important source of systematic uncertainty in galaxy-based cluster mass estimation techniques: the presence of significant dynamical substructure. Dynamical substructure manifests as dynamically distinct subgroups in phase-space, indicating an 'unrelaxed' state. This issue affects around a quarter of clusters in a generally selected sample. We employ a set of mock clusters whose masses have been measured homogeneously with commonly-used galaxy-based mass estimation techniques (kinematic, richness, caustic, radial methods). We use these to study how the relation between observationally estimated and true cluster mass depends on the presence of substructure, as identified by various popular diagnostics. We find that the scatter for an ensemble of clusters does not increase dramatically for clusters with dynamical substructure. However, we find a systematic bias for all methods, such that clusters with significant substructure have higher measured masses than their relaxed counterparts. This bias depends on cluster mass: the most massive clusters are largely unaffected by the presence of significant substructure, but masses are significantly overestimated for lower mass clusters, by $\sim10\%$ at $10^{14}$ and $\geq20\%$ for $\leq10^{13.5}$. The use of cluster samples with different levels of substructure can, therefore, bias certain cosmological parameters up to a level comparable to the typical uncertainties in current cosmological studies.

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