Program: GS-2008B-Q-4
Title: | BCG Dynamics and Cluster Centres: Understanding a Symbiotic Relationship |
PI: | Chris Bildfell |
Co-I(s): | Henk Hoekstra, Andisheh Mahdavi, Arif Babul, Brian McNamara |
Abstract
We propose to obtain the final 8 GMOS long-slit spectra of brightest cluster galaxies (BCG) in X-ray luminous galaxy clusters to complete our sample of 20 such systems. Our goal is to study the links between BCGs 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.
Publications using this program's data
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[data]
[ADS] The regulation of star formation in cool-core clusters: imprints on the stellar populations of brightest cluster galaxies
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[data]
[ADS] Diversity in the stellar velocity dispersion profiles of a large sample of brightest cluster galaxies z ≤ 0.3
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[data]
[ADS] Dynamical masses of brightest cluster galaxies I: stellar velocity anisotropy and mass-to-light ratios
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[data]
[ADS] Dynamical masses of brightest cluster galaxies - II. Constraints on the stellar IMF