arXiv subjects

N. Menci

Publications and source records attributed to N. Menci.

113 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

Diffuse Baryons in Groups and Clusters of Galaxies

To predict the X-ray observables associated to the diffuse baryons in clusters of galaxies, we develop a new physical approach to model such a hot intra-cluster plasma. Such approach is based on punctuated equilibria. and comprises the following blocks: Monte Carlo ``merging histories'' of dark matter potential wells; the central hydrostatic disposition for the ICP, reset to a new equilibrium after each merging episode; conditions of shock, or of closely adiabatic compression at the boundary with the external gas, preheated by stellar energy feedbacks. We predict the L-T relation, consistent with the data as for shape and scatter. This we combine with the mass distribution provided by the hierarchical clustering for different COBE-normalized CDM models, to predict the z-resolved luminosity functions, the source counts, the redshift distributions and contribution of the unresolved groups and clusters to the soft X-ray background. When compared with the recent ROSAT surveys, our results confirm that the critical cosmology with Standard CDM is ruled out by its overproduction of local clusters. On account of underproduction, instead, we rule out open cosmologies except for a narrow range around Ω_o=0.5; even there, we find the consistency with the full data base to be hardly marginal. For Ω_o=0.3 in flat geometry, we obtain acceptable fits. For the tilted CDM perturbation spectrum with high baryonic content in the critical universe, we obtain marginal consistency. Finally, we discuss the effective limitations of X-ray clusters and groups as cosmological signposts, and their brighter prospects toward the astrophysics of the ICP and the cosmogony of large, high-contrast structures.

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arXiv1998

Luminosity Segregation from Merging in Clusters of Galaxies

We compute the evolution of the space-dependent mass distribution of galaxies in clusters due to binary aggregations by solving a space-dependent Smoluchowski equation. We derive the distribution of intergalactic distance for different ranges of mass (and of corresponding magnitude). We compare the results with the observed distributions, and find that the different degrees of luminosity segregation observed in clusters are well accounted for by our merging model. In addition, the presence of luminosity segregation is related to dynamical effects which also show up in different but connected observables, such as galaxy velocity profiles decreasing toward the center and X-ray measured beta-parameters smaller than 1. We predict both luminosity segregation and the observables above (being a product of binary aggregations) to be inversely correlated with the core radius and with the galaxy velocity dispersion; we discuss how the whole set of predictions compares with up-to-date observations.

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arXiv1997

The Luminosity-Temperature Relation for Groups and Clusters of Galaxies

We model the effects of shocks on the diffuse, X-ray emitting baryons in clusters of galaxies. Shocks separate the infalling from the inner gas nearly at equilibrium, and dominate the compression and the density gradients of the latter in the dark-matter potential of the cluster. We find that, independently of the detailed shape of the potential, the density gradient is steeper and the compression factor larger for the richer clusters. We show, considering the different merging histories, that in the hierarchical cosmogony the above effects lead, in X-rays, to a luminosity-temperature relation L \propto T^5 at the scale of groups which flattens down to L \propto T^{3} for rich clusters in accord with the observations, and then saturates toward L \propto T^2 for higher temperatures. From the merging histories we also compute statistical fluctuations of the L-T correlation.

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arXiv1996

Faint Blue Galaxies and Merging: the Evolution of the Luminosity Function

We probe to what extent not only the counts of the faint blue galaxies and their redshift distribution but also their z-resolved luminosity functions can be explained in terms of binary merging (aggregations). We present a dynamical theory of such interactions. On this basis we find that ``minimal aggregations'' taking place within large scale structures and triggering starbusts yield rates and timing such as to explain the observations of the local, flat luminosity function and of its progressive rising and steepening for redshifts out to $z\approx 1$. Correspondingly, we predictfaint blue counts still rising up to $m_B\sim 28 -29$, redshift distributions shifting toward larger z with increasing $m_B$; in addition, we predict an upturn of the faint end of the luminosity function more pronounced in clusters than in the field. We propose that our picture provides the differential dynamics missing in the canonical hierarchical theories. This reconciles with the observations the steep luminosity functions predicted at high z by such theories.

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arXiv1994

The Cosmological Mass Distribution from Cayley Trees with Disorder

We present a new approach to the statistics of the cosmic density field and to the mass distribution of high-contrast structures, based on the formalism of Cayley trees. Our approach includes in one random process both fluctuations and interactions of the density perturbations. We connect tree-related quantities, like the partition function or its generating function, to the mass distribution. The Press \& Schechter mass function and the Smoluchowski kinetic equation are naturally recovered as two limiting cases corresponding to independent Gaussian fluctuations, and to aggregation of high-contrast condensations, respectively. Numerical realizations of the complete random process on the tree yield an excess of large-mass objects relative to the Press \& Schechter function. When interactions are fully effective, a power-law distribution with logarithmic slope -2 is generated.

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