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S. Schindler

Publications and source records attributed to S. Schindler.

104 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2000

The ROSAT-ESO Flux Limited X-ray (REFLEX) Galaxy Cluster Survey II: The Spatial Correlation Function

We report the results of the spatial two-point correlation function xi(r) for the new X-ray galaxy cluster survey REFLEX, which comprises of 452 X-ray selected clusters (449 with redshifts) detected by the ROSAT satellite during the ROSAT All-Sky-Survey. The REFLEX cluster sample is flux limited to 3x10^{-12} erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} in the ROSAT energy band (0.1-2.4 keV) and spans 3 decades in X-ray luminosity (10^{42} - 10^{45} h^{-2} erg s^{-1}), containing galaxy groups and rich clusters out to a redshift z~0.3. Covering a contiguous area of 4.24 sr REFLEX is the largest X-ray cluster sample to date for which spatial clustering has been analysed. Correlation studies using clusters selected on the basis of their X-ray emission are particularly interesting as they are largely free from the projection biases inherent to optical studies. For the entire flux-limited sample we find that the correlation length (the scale at which the correlation amplitude passes through unity) r_0~20 h^{-1}Mpc. For example, if a power-law fit is made to xi(r) over the range 4-40 h^{-1} Mpc then r_0=18.8+-0.9. An indication of the robustness of this result comes from the high degree of isotropy seen in the clustering pattern on scales close to the correlation length. On larger scales xi(r) deviates from a power-law, crossing zero at ~45h^{-1} Mpc. From an examination of 5 volume-limited cluster sub-samples we find no significant trend of r_0 with limiting X-ray luminosity. A comparison with recent model predictions for the clustering properties of X-ray flux-limited samples, indicates that Cold Dark Matter models with the matter density Omega_m=1 fail to produce sufficient clustering to account for the data, while Omega_m~0.3 models provide an excellent fit.

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arXiv1999

The REFLEX Cluster Survey: Observing Strategy and First Results on Large-Scale Structure

We give a general description of the optical observing strategy of the ROSAT-ESO Flux-Limited X-ray (REFLEX) cluster survey. This presently includes 460 clusters of galaxies selected from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey in the Southern hemisphere, to a flux limit of 3 10^{-12} erg s^{-1} cm^{-2}. Redshifts are now measured for 95% of this sample. Work is in progress to complete this coverage, and then extend the sample to fainter fluxes. A few highlights on the large-scale distribution of REFLEX clusters and their clustering properties are also discussed.

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arXiv1999

A Flux-limited Sample of Bright Clusters of Galaxies from the Southern Part of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey: the Catalog and the LogN-LogS

We describe the selection of an X-ray flux-limited sample of bright clusters of galaxies in the southern hemisphere, based on the first analysis of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey data (RASS1). The sample is constructed starting from an identification of candidate clusters in RASS1, and their X-ray fluxes are remeasured using the Steepness Ratio Technique. This method is better suited than the RASS1 standard algorithm for measuring flux from extended sources. The final sample is count-rate-limited in the ROSAT hard band (0.5-2.0 keV), so that due to the distribution of NH, its effective flux limit varies between about 3-4 x 10**-12 ergs cm**-2 s**-1 over the selected area. This covers the Decl<2.5 deg part of the south Galactic cap region (b<-20 deg) - with the exclusion of patches of low RASS1 exposure time and of the Magellanic Clouds area - for a total of 8235 deg**2. 130 candidate sources fulfill our selection criteria for bonafide clusters of galaxies in this area. Of these, 101 are Abell/ACO clusters, while 29 do not have a counterpart in these catalogs. Of these clusters, 126 (97%) clusters have a redshift and for these we compute an X-ray luminosity. 20% of the cluster redshifts come from new observations, as part of the ESO Key Program REFLEX Cluster Survey that is under completion. Considering the intrinsic biases and incompletenesses introduced by the flux selection and source identification processes, we estimate the overall completeness to be better than 90%. The observed number count distribution, LogN-LogS, is well fitted by a power law with slope alpha = 1.34 +/- 0.15 and normalization A = 11.87 +/- 1.04 sr**-1 (10**-11 ergs cm**-2 s**-1)**alpha, in good agreement with other measurements.

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arXiv1999

The X-ray Luminosity Function of Bright Clusters in the Local Universe

We present the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) for clusters of galaxies derived from the RASS1 Bright Sample. The sample, selected from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey in a region of 2.5 sr within the southern Galactic cap, contains 130 clusters with flux limits in the range ~ 3-4 x 10^-12 ergs/cm^2/s in the 0.5-2.0 keV band. A maximum-likelihood fit with a Schechter function of the XLF over the entire range of luminosities (0.045 - 28. x 10^44 ergs/s), gives alpha = 1.52 +/- 0.11, L_* = 3.80 +0.70 -0.55 x 10^44 ergs/s, and A = 5.07 +/- 0.45 x 10^-7 Mpc^-3 (10^44 ergs/s)^(α-1). We investigate possible evolutionary effects within the sample, out to our redshift limit (z ~ 0.3), finding no evidence for evolution. Our results are in good agreement with other local estimates of the XLF, implying that this statistic for the local universe is now well determined. Comparison with XLFs for distant clusters (0.3 < z < 0.6), shows that no evolution is present for L_X < 10^{44} ergs/s. However, we detect differences at the 3 sigma level, between our local XLF and the distant one estimated by Henry et al. for the EMSS sample. This difference is still present when considering the EMSS sample revised by Nichol et al.

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arXiv1998

Morphology of the Virgo Cluster: Gas versus Galaxies

We draw a quantitative comparison of the distribution of the galaxies and the intra-cluster gas in the Virgo cluster by extending the morphological analysis by Binggeli et al. (1987) to the intra-cluster gas. We use the Virgo Cluster Catalog in combination with data from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The galaxy distribution and the gas distribution are relatively similar. In both wavebands the irregular structure of Virgo can be decomposed into three major subclusters centred on M87, M49, and M86. A new statistical method of subcluster decomposition is applied. Radial galaxy and X-ray density profiles of the three subclusters are fitted with beta-models, allowing analytic deprojection. Comparison of these profiles reveals, that there is no general luminosity segregation. The gas density profile is steeper than the galaxy density profile in the inner part, while this trend is reversed in the outer part. A comparison among the subclusters shows the poorer the subcluster the steeper its radial profile, i.e. the more compact it is, both in the optical and the X-rays. The subcluster profiles for different Hubble types confirm the well-known result that the distribution of the late-type galaxies is more extended than the early types. Differential and integrated mass density profiles of the different components in the M87 and M49 subclusters are presented. The total, gravitating mass is inferred from the distribution of the X-ray gas. In the M87 subcluster the gas mass is about three times the mass in galaxies, while it accounts only for 8% to 14% of the total mass at 0.4 and 1 Mpc, respectively. In the M49 subcluster there is more mass in the galaxies than in the gas and the gas-to-total mass fraction is only 1%, which is unusually low for a cluster. The mass-to-light ratios show relatively constant values around 500Msol/Lsol.

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arXiv1998

Clusters of Galaxies in X-rays

X-ray observations of clusters at different redshifts are presented and compared. For the nearest cluster -- the Virgo cluster -- we show a comparison of the galaxy distribution and the distribution of the intra-cluster gas. Although the Virgo cluster has such an irregular structure, it seems that within each of the subclusters some kind of equilibrium has already established. X-ray observations of distant lensing clusters reveal very different properties. The large range of X-ray properties without any obvious correlation between them shows that cluster evolution is complex, i.e. not every cluster is evolving in the same way. A comparison of nearby clusters and distant clusters shows that there is no clear trend with time in any of the X-ray properties, which favours a low-Omega universe.

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arXiv1998

Results from the REFLEX Cluster Survey

Based on the ROSAT All-Sky Survey we have conducted a large redshift survey as an ESO key programme to identify and secure redshifts for the X-ray brightest clusters found in the southern hemisphere. We present first results for a highly controlled sample for a flux limit of 3 10-12 erg/s/cm+2 comprising 475 clusters (87% with redshifts). The logN-logS function of the sample shows an almost perfect Euclidian slope and a preliminary X-ray luminosity function is presented.

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arXiv1998

X-ray observations of the rich cluster CL 0939+4713 and discovery of the strongly variable source RXJ0943.0+4701

Recent X-ray observations of the rich galaxy cluster CL 0939+4713 at z = 0.41 with the ROSAT/HRI as well as with the ASCA/GIS and ASCA/SIS are presented and analysed. With the high resolution imaging data we confirm and extend the earlier impression that the cluster has a lot of substructure. Two maxima of the cluster emission are obvious in the images, each of them shows even some internal structure. For the total luminosity of the cluster in the ROSAT band we obtain L = 6.4_{-0.3}^{+0.7} 10^{44} erg/s. We perform spectral fits for the two ASCA instruments and for the ROSAT/PSPC simultaneously. The most reliable numbers for the temperature and metallicity for the intracluster gas are T = 7.6^{+2.8}_{-1.6} keV and m = 0.22^{+0.24}_{-0.22} Msol, respectively. We find a relatively small total mass, a small gas mass ratio and a small iron mass to light ratio. These numbers together with relatively low luminosity for such an optically rich cluster and the pronounced substructure confirm that CL 0939+4713 is a young cluster still far away from a virialised state. In the same ROSAT/HRI image the X-ray emission of a background quasar (z \approx 2) can clearly be identified. With a luminosity of L \approx 1.4 10^{45} erg/s it belongs to the X-ray brightest quasars. A striking difference between the ROSAT/PSPC and the ROSAT/HRI observations (taken almost five years apart) is the fainting of one X-ray source RXJ0943.0+4701 by at least a factor of ten. We try to identify this source from deep optical data. Our best candidate is a blue compact object, possibly an AGN.

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arXiv1996

ROSAT/HRI and ASCA observations of the most luminous X-ray cluster RXJ1347.5-1145

We report on the X-ray properties of the exceptional X-ray cluster RXJ1347.5-1145 at z=0.451. We confirm that it is with a luminosity $L_X(bol)=2\times 10^{46}$ erg/s the most luminous X-ray cluster discovered to date. The mass of the cluster within 1.7 Mpc is $9.8%\pm1.1\times 10^{14} \msol$. A comparison of the central X-ray mass and the mass determined from a simple gravitational lens model shows a discrepancy of a factor of 2-3 with the X-ray mass being smaller. The temperature of the cluster is $9.3^{+1.1}_{-1.0}$~keV. We detect a strong FeK line corresponding to a metallicity of $0.33\pm0.10$ in solar units, which is an unexpectedly high value for a distant and hot cluster. There are several hints that the cluster contains an extremely strong cooling flow. With the usual assumptions we derive formally a mass accretion rate of more than 3000 $\msol$/yr indicating that this may be the largest cooling flow detected so far. To find these extreme properties in this distant cluster which can be taken as an indication of a well relaxed and old system is of high importance for the theory of formation and evolution of clusters.

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arXiv1995

ROSAT/PSPC observation of the distant cluster CL0939+472

We present results and an analysis of a ROSAT PSPC pointed observation of the galaxy cluster CL0939+472. This very rich and very distant cluster is known to contain an unusually high fraction of blue and E+A galaxies, and a lot of merging of galaxies is going on. The X-ray properties we find are also quite unusual. The luminosity in the ROSAT band (0.1-2.4 keV) is $L_X = (6.7\pm 0.3) \times 10^{44}$erg/s, rather on the low side for such a rich cluster. We find a temperature of 2.9$_{-0.8}^{+1.3}$ keV, which is also relatively low, but has also a large uncertainty. The cluster shows indications of substructure, which results in a high value for the core radius and a steep drop off outside the core, if one fits a spherically symmetric $β$-model. The lower limit on the mass inside a radius of $1.0 h_{50}^{-1}$Mpc is $2.6 \times 10^{14} \msol$, and the upper limit on the gas mass fraction is 50\%. All the unusual properties of this cluster can be explained if in fact we see the merging of two clusters of roughly equal mass, which is also supported by recent optical observations.

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arXiv1995

Interaction in the Bimodal Galaxy Cluster A3528

X-ray and radio continuum observations of the bimodal cluster A3528 in the Shapley Supercluster are presented. From a ROSAT PSPC pointed observation we find a marginal tendency of the intracluster gas to be hotter in the region between the two subclusters. This effect can be interpreted as the signature of interaction of the subclusters. We infer that the centres of the subclusters in A3528 will meet within a few 10^8 years. In continuum observations at 20cm and at 90cm with the Very Large Array we find four galaxies having radio emission. One of these galaxies shows a head-tail structure suggesting a motion of the galaxy through the intracluster medium. The radio tail shows an imbalance between the thermal pressure of the intra-cluster gas and the pressure of the relativistic electrons.

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arXiv1995

ROSAT Results on Groups and Clusters of Galaxies

We present a selection of ROSAT results on the morphology, the evolution, and the masses of galaxy clusters and groups. ROSAT provides the first complete X-ray view on the Virgo cluster: it reveals a complex structure similar to the optical appearance. Indications for ongoing evolution is found in a number of clusters traced both by the surface brightness distribution and temperature variations. With ROSAT data, which provide spatial and spectral resolution at the same time, good mass estimates can be obtained for various systems from small groups to very massive clusters covering a mass range of a few $10^{13}$ to $4.6\cdot10^{15}\msol$. The gas to dark matter ratio for clusters is 10-30\% while for groups slightly smaller values (3-25\%) are found. The most luminous ROSAT cluster RXJ1347.5-1145 is presented which is an ideal object to compare the X-ray mass with the mass derived by gravitational lensing.

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arXiv1995

Discovery of an Arc System in the Brightest ROSAT Cluster of Galaxies

We report the discovery of two bright arcs in what turns out to be the brightest X--ray cluster in the ROSAT band ever observed, RXJ1347.5-1145. Its luminosity is $(6.2\pm0.6) \cdot10^{45}$erg s$^{-1}$ (in the range 0.1--2.4~keV). The arcs are most probably gravitationally lensed images of background galaxies. They were found serendipitously during our ongoing large--scale redshift survey of X--ray clusters detected by the ROSAT All Sky Survey. The arcs are almost opposite to each other with respect to the cluster centre, with a distance from it of about $35''$ ($=240 h^{-1}_{50}$ kpc), a radius that enables the probing of a rather large cluster volume. In this Letter we limit ourselves to the discussion of the general optical and X--ray features of this cluster and to the potential implications of the gravitational arcs. A more detailed discussion of the different mass estimates and of the cosmological implications for this exceptional object are left for future work based on more accurate optical and X--ray data, which are currently being collected.

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