Program: GN-2008A-Q-103

Title:BCG Dynamics and Cluster Centers: Understanding a Symbiotic Relationship
PI:Chris Bildfell
Co-I(s): Henk Hoekstra, Andisheh Mahdavi, Arif Babul, Brian McNamara

Abstract

We seek to study the links between brightest cluster galaxies (BCG) and their host clusters which are believed to be established by the baryonic feedback processes that regulate galaxy and cluster formation. We wish to measure (1) the scatter/residuals in the BCG fundamental plane, (2) dynamics of central galaxies in combination with X-ray, weak lensing, and SZ, (3) quantify the impact of (2) on the scatter in the BCG FP. BCG dynamical data will enable measurement of the inner mass profiles of our clusters, the shape of which has implications for both the nature of cold dark matter and BCG formation models. For instance, we will directly test models that aim to explain scatter in the FP by varying the DM content. We propose to obtain GMOS long-slit spectra of the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in ~30 X-ray luminous galaxy clusters, 8 of which are requested this semester.

Publications using this program's data