arXiv subjects

Mirt Gramann

Publications and source records attributed to Mirt Gramann.

20 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv1994

Probing the Large-Scale Velocity Field with Clusters of Galaxies

What is the role of clusters of galaxies in probing the large-scale velocity field of the universe? We investigate the distribution of peculiar velocities of clusters of galaxies in the popular low-density ($Ω=0.3$) flat Cold-Dark-Matter (CDM) cosmological model, which best fits many large-scale structure observations. An $Ω=1$ CDM model is also studied for comparison. We find that clusters of galaxies are efficient tracers of the large-scale velocity field. The clusters exhibit a Maxwellian distribution of peculiar velocities, as expected from Gaussian initial density fluctuations. The cluster 3-D velocity distribution for the $Ω=0.3$ model peaks at $v \sim 400$ km s$^{-1}$, and extends to high velocities of $v \sim 1200$ km s$^{-1}$. The rms peculiar velocity of the clusters is $440$ km s$^{-1}$. Approximately 10\% of all model clusters move with high peculiar velocities of $v \ge 700$ km s$^{-1}$. The observed velocity distribution of clusters of galaxies is compared with the predictions from cosmological models. The observed data exhibit a larger velocity tail than seen in the model simulations; however, due to the large observational uncertainties, the data are consistent at a $\sim 3σ$ level with the model predictions, and with a Gaussian initial density field. The large peculiar velocities reported for some clusters of galaxies ($v \geq 3000$ km s$^{-1}$) are likely to be overestimated, if the current model is viable.

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arXiv1994

The Motions of Clusters and Groups of Galaxies

The distributions of peculiar velocities of rich clusters and of groups of galaxies are investigated for different cosmological models and are compared with observations. Four cosmological models are studied: standard ($Ω=1$) CDM, low-density CDM, HDM ($Ω=1$), and PBI. We find that rich clusters of galaxies exhibit a Maxwellian distribution of peculiar velocities in all models, as expected from a Gaussian initial density fluctuation field. The cluster 3-D velocity distribution is generally similar in the models: it peaks at $v \sim 500$ km s$^{-1}$, and extends to high cluster velocities of $v \sim 1500$ km s$^{-1}$. Approximately 10\% of all model rich clusters move with high peculiar velocities of $v \ge 10^3$ km s$^{-1}$. The highest velocity clusters frequently originate in dense superclusters. The group velocity distribution is, in general, similar to the velocity distribution of the rich clusters. In all but the low-density CDM model, the mass exhibits a longer tail of high velocities than do the clusters. This high-velocity tail originates mostly from the high velocities that exist within rich clusters. The model velocity distributions of groups and clusters of galaxies are compared with observations. The data are generally consistent with the models, but exhibit a somewhat larger high-velocity tail, to $v_r \sim 3000$ km s$^{-1}$. While this high-velocity tail is similar to the HDM model predictions, the data are consistent with the other models studied, including the low-density CDM model, which best fits most other large-scale structure observations. The observed velocity

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