arXiv subjects

M. Pierre

Publications and source records attributed to M. Pierre.

121 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

The XMM Large Scale Structure Survey: Scientific Motivation and First Observations

Thanks to its unrivalled sensitivity and large field of view, XMM potentially occupies a leading position as a survey instrument. We present cosmological arguments in favour of a medium-sensitivity, large-scale structure survey with XMM, using galaxy clusters as tracers of the cosmic network. We show how this has motivated the definition of a concrete survey, the XMM Large-Scale Structure Survey (XMM-LSS), which will cover 64 square degrees with a sensitivity about 1000 times better than that of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. We present our predictions for cluster counts based on the Press-Schechter formalism and detailed X-ray image simulations, and show how they agree with the cluster statistics from recent ROSAT cluster surveys. We also present the extensive multi-wavelength follow-up associated with XMM-LSS, as well as the first observations from the programme.

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arXiv2001

ASCA observations of massive medium-distant clusters of galaxies. II

We have selected seven medium-distant clusters of galaxies (z ~ 0.1 - 0.3) for multi-wavelength observations with the goal of investigating their dynamical state. Following Paper I (Pierre et al. 1999) which reported the ASCA results about two of them, we present here the analysis of the ASCA observations of the other five clusters; RXJ1023.8-2715 (A3444), RXJ1031.6-2607, RXJ1050.5-0236 (A1111), RXJ1203.2-2131(A1451), and RXJ1314.5-2517. Except for RXJ1031.6, whose X-ray emission turned out to be dominated by an AGN, the ASCA spectra are well fitted by a one-temperature thin thermal plasma model. We compare the temperature-luminosity relation of our clusters with that of nearby ones (z<0.1). Two clusters, RXJ1050.5 and RXJ1023.8, show larger luminosities than the bulk of clusters at similar temperatures, which suggests the presence of a cooling flow. The temperature vs. iron-abundance relationship of our sample is consistent with that of nearby clusters.

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arXiv2001

The first ISO ERO: a dusty quasar at z = 1.5

We report the discovery of an extremely red object (ERO) in a medium-deep ISOCAM extragalactic survey. The object is also a radio source. Subsequent VLT NIR spectroscopy revealed a prominent Halpha line giving a redshift of 1.5. We present the spectrum and photometric data points and discuss evidence that ISO J1324-2016 is a quasar harbouring a significant amount of very hot dust.

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arXiv2001

Comparison of source detection procedures for XMM-Newton images

Procedures based on current methods to detect sources in X-ray images are applied to simulated XMM images. All significant instrumental effects are taken into account, and two kinds of sources are considered -- unresolved sources represented by the telescope PSF and extended ones represented by a b-profile model. Different sets of test cases with controlled and realistic input configurations are constructed in order to analyze the influence of confusion on the source analysis and also to choose the best methods and strategies to resolve the difficulties. In the general case of point-like and extended objects the mixed approach of multiresolution (wavelet) filtering and subsequent detection by SExtractor gives the best results. In ideal cases of isolated sources, flux errors are within 15-20%. The maximum likelihood technique outperforms the others for point-like sources when the PSF model used in the fit is the same as in the images. However, the number of spurious detections is quite large. The classification using the half-light radius and SExtractor stellarity index is succesful in more than 98% of the cases. This suggests that average luminosity clusters of galaxies (L_[2-10] ~ 3x10^{44} erg/s) can be detected at redshifts greater than 1.5 for moderate exposure times in the energy band below 5 keV, provided that there is no confusion or blending by nearby sources. We find also that with the best current available packages, confusion and completeness problems start to appear at fluxes around 6x10^{-16} erg/s/cm^2 in [0.5-2] keV band for XMM deep surveys.

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arXiv2000

The XMM/Megacam-VST/VIRMOS Large Scale Structure Survey

The objective of the XMM-LSS Survey is to map the large scale structure of the universe, as highlighted by clusters and groups of galaxies, out to a redshift of about 1, over a single 8x8 sq.deg. area. For the first time, this will reveal the topology of the distribution of the deep potential wells and provide statistical measurements at truly cosmological distances. In addition, clusters identified via their X-ray properties will form the basis for the first uniformly-selected, multi-wavelength survey of the evolution of clusters and individual cluster galaxies as a function of redshift. The survey will also address the very important question of the QSO distribution within the cosmic web.

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arXiv2000

Probing the gravitational potential of a nearby lensing cluster Abell 2104

The cluster Abell 2104 is one of the lowest redshift clusters (z=0.153) known to have a gravitational lensing arc. We present detailed analysis of the cluster properties such as the gravitational potential using the X-ray data from ROSAT (HRI) and ASCA, as well as optical imaging and spectroscopic data from the CFHT. The cluster is highly luminous in the X-ray with a bolometric luminosity of Lx ~3x10^{45} ergs/s and a high gas temperature of ~10.4 keV. The X-ray emission extending out to at least a radius of 1.46 Mpc, displays significant substructure. The total mass deduced from the X-ray data under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium and isothermal gas, is found to be M_tot(r<1.46Mpc) ~(8.0 +/- 0.8)x10^{14} solar mass. The gas fraction within a radius of 1.46 Mpc is ~5-10%. The cluster galaxy velocity distribution has a dispersion of 1200 +/- 200 km/s with no obvious evidence for substructure. The total mass within 1.46 Mpc, deduced from Jean's equation using the observed galaxy number density distribution and velocity dispersion, is found to be \~6.8x10^{14} solar mass to ~2.6x10^{15} solar mass marginally consistent with the X-ray deduced total mass.

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arXiv1999

An XMM pre-view of the cosmic network: galaxy groups and filaments

A large fraction of the baryons today are predicted to be in hot, filamentary gas, which has yet to be detected. In this paper, we use numerical simulations of dark matter and gas to determine if these filaments and groups of galaxy will be observable be XMM. The simulated maps include free-free and line emission, galactic absorption, the XMM response function, photon noise, the extragalactic source distribution, and vignetting. A number of cosmological models are examined as well as a range of very simple prescriptions to account for the effect of supernovae feedback (preheating). We show that XMM has a good chance of observing emission from strong filaments at z~0.1. This becomes much more difficult by z~0.5. The primary difficulties lie in detecting such a large, diffuse object and in selecting an appropriate field. We also describe the range of group sizes that XMM should be sensitive to (both for detection and spectral analysis), although this is more dependent on the unknown nature of the feedback. Such observations will greatly improve our understanding of feedback and should also provide stronger cosmological constraints.

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arXiv1999

Physics of the intra-cluster medium at high redshift

While the concept of "clustering" primarily refers to galaxies, the fact is that galaxies can be neglected - at least in terms of mass - when considering the continuous competition between accretion and relaxation processes of dark matter and gas, which control the dynamical life of galaxy clusters. Gravity is certainly the driving force in cluster formation and evolution, but is not sufficient to explain in detail the properties of the ICM brought to light by the most recent X-ray data: non thermal phenomena revealed by radio observations, micro-physics and feedback from galaxies play also a key role. From numerical simulations constrained by observations of the intra-cluster medium at low z, we attempt to extrapolate properties back in the time when density contrasts in the universe were much less pronounced.

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arXiv1998

Medium-distant clusters of galaxies seen by ISO

We present a comprehensive study of ISO cluster galaxies in connection with other wavelengths. First results show that infrared galaxies detected by ISOCAM concentrate on the edge of clusters. Surprisingly, they are not emission lines galaxies but very luminous elliptical, merging or interacting ones, which suggests non-trivial connections between star formation rate, optical and mid-IR properties. However, no correlation has been found between the MIR/optical star formation properties of the galaxies, so that the exact origin of the IR emission remains unclear.

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arXiv1998

Deep ISOCAM view of the core of the lensing cluster A2390

We have imaged the inner square arcminute of the well known lensing and cooling flow cluster A2390 (z = 0.23) down to a sensitivity of 65 and 130 microJy at 6.75 and 15 micronmetre, respectively. We report the first evidence of an active star-forming region in a cooling flow (at those wavelengths) and strong emission in the mid-IR from lensed galaxies located at z=0.9.

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arXiv1997

X-ray/Optical analysis of the cluster of galaxies Abell 1300: Indications of a post-merger at z = 0.31

We present ROSAT PSPC and HRI observations of the distant cluster A1300 (z = 0.3071) in conjunction with optical data, to investigate the physics of the intra-cluster medium and the dynamical state of the cluster. By means of a multi-resolution wavelet analysis, we find evidence for structures in the X-ray emission of this very luminous (L_{X} ~ 1.7 10^{45} erg/s) in the 0.1--2.4 keV band) and massive (M_{tot} ~ 1.3 x 10^{15} M_{sun} at a radius ~ 2.2 Mpc) cluster. This cluster is significant as we appear to be witnessing the end of a merger which occurred at an early epoch.

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arXiv1996

An X-ray and Radio study of the Cluster A2717

We present an X-ray, radio and optical study of the cluster A2717. The central D galaxy is associated with a Wide-Angled-Tailed (WAT) radio source. A Rosat PSPC observation of the cluster shows that the cluster has a well constrained temperature of 2x10^7 K. The pressure of the intracluster medium was found to be comparable to the mininum pressure of the radio source suggesting that the tails may in fact be in equipartition with the surrounding hot gas.

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arXiv1995

X-ray analysis and matter distribution in the lens-cluster Abell 2390

We present a deep X-ray ROSAT/HRI observation of the rich cluster-lens Abell 2390 and the analysis of the gas and matter distribution in the cluster. The X-ray centroid coincides with the location of the central cD galaxy, and the core appears to be dominated by a massive cooling flow, one of the strongest ones ever studied. On larger scales, the X-ray distribution is elliptical and locally distorted by a significant ``sub-structure" located some 100 $h^{-1}$ kpc from the center. The mass of this sub-structureis estimated to be $\sim$ 1/20 of the total cluster mass and appears tobe associated with an enhancement in the galaxy distribution, in the region where the giant ``straight arc" and several arclets are observed. A simple lens model basedon the geometrical properties of the X-ray gas shows that this sub-structure allows to explain in a simple manner the peculiar shape of the arc and puts strong constraints on the total mass distribution in the central part of this cluster. The derived M/L in the central part of the cluster is found to be around 250 in solar units, a rather common value compared with other cluster-lenses. Moreover, the link between the matter distribution derived from the lens model and the density profile issued from the X-ray map analysis is used to infer the temperature profile in the cluster. This profile shows a significant decrease near the center, in agreement with the existence of the cooling flow. Both X-ray and lensing constraints are tied together to give a consistent picture of the dynamics of the central part of A2390.

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