The XXL Survey. VII. A supercluster of galaxies at z = 0.43
Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Pompei, E.
•
Adami, C.
•
Eckert, D.
•
•
Lavoie, S.
•
•
Altieri, B.
•
Alis, S.
•
Baran, N.
•
Benoist, C.
•
Jaffé, Y. L.
•
Koulouridis, E.
•
Maurogordato, S.
•
Pacaud, F.
•
Pierre, M.
•
Sadibekova, T.
•
Smolcic, V.
•
Valtchanov, I.
Abstract
Context. The XXL Survey is the largest homogeneous and contiguous survey carried out with XMM-Newton. Covering an area of 50 deg2 distributed over two fields, it primarily investigates the large-scale structures of the Universe using the distribution of galaxy clusters and active galactic nuclei as tracers of the matter distribution.
Aims: Given its depth and sky coverage, XXL is particularly suited to systematically unveiling the clustering of X-ray clusters and to identifying superstructures in a homogeneous X-ray sample down to the typical mass scale of a local massive cluster.
Methods: A friends-of-friends algorithm in three-dimensional physical space was run to identify large-scale structures. In this paper we report the discovery of the highest redshift supercluster of galaxies found in the XXL Survey. We describe the X-ray properties of the clusters members of the structure and the optical follow-up.
Results: The newly discovered supercluster is composed of six clusters of galaxies at a median redshift z ~ 0.43 and distributed across ~30'× 15' (10 × 5 Mpc) on the sky. This structure is very compact with all the clusters residing in one XMM pointing; for this reason this is the first supercluster discovered with the XXL Survey. Photometric redshifts from the CFHTLS (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey) data release T0007 placed the supercluster at an approximate redshift of zphot ~ 0.45; subsequent spectroscopic follow-up with WHT (William Herschel Telescope) and NTT (New Technology Telescope) confirmed a median redshift of z ~ 0.43. An estimate of the X-ray mass and luminosity of this supercluster returns values of 1.7 × 1015 M☉ and of 1.68 × 1044 erg s-1, respectively, and a total gas mass of Mgas = 9.3 × 1013 M☉. These values put XLSSC-e at the average mass range of superclusters; its appearance, with two members of equal size, is quite unusual with respect to other superclusters and provides a unique view of the formation process of a massive structure.
Aims: Given its depth and sky coverage, XXL is particularly suited to systematically unveiling the clustering of X-ray clusters and to identifying superstructures in a homogeneous X-ray sample down to the typical mass scale of a local massive cluster.
Methods: A friends-of-friends algorithm in three-dimensional physical space was run to identify large-scale structures. In this paper we report the discovery of the highest redshift supercluster of galaxies found in the XXL Survey. We describe the X-ray properties of the clusters members of the structure and the optical follow-up.
Results: The newly discovered supercluster is composed of six clusters of galaxies at a median redshift z ~ 0.43 and distributed across ~30'× 15' (10 × 5 Mpc) on the sky. This structure is very compact with all the clusters residing in one XMM pointing; for this reason this is the first supercluster discovered with the XXL Survey. Photometric redshifts from the CFHTLS (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey) data release T0007 placed the supercluster at an approximate redshift of zphot ~ 0.45; subsequent spectroscopic follow-up with WHT (William Herschel Telescope) and NTT (New Technology Telescope) confirmed a median redshift of z ~ 0.43. An estimate of the X-ray mass and luminosity of this supercluster returns values of 1.7 × 1015 M☉ and of 1.68 × 1044 erg s-1, respectively, and a total gas mass of Mgas = 9.3 × 1013 M☉. These values put XLSSC-e at the average mass range of superclusters; its appearance, with two members of equal size, is quite unusual with respect to other superclusters and provides a unique view of the formation process of a massive structure.
This work is based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and the USA (NASA) and on observations obtained at the WHT thanks to the International Time Programme (CCI) and the Opticon FP7 program. It also used observations made with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla Paranal Observatory under programme LP 191.A-0268.The Master Catalogue is available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/592/A2
Volume
592
Start page
A6
Issn Identifier
0004-6361
Ads BibCode
2016A&A...592A...6P
Rights
open.access
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