Combining optical and X-ray observations of galaxy clusters to constrain cosmological parameters

Galaxy clusters present unique advantages for cosmological study.Here we collect a new sample of 10 lensing galaxy clusters with X-ray observations to constrain cosmological parameters.The redshifts of the lensing clusters lie between 0.1 and 0.6,and the redshift range of their arcs is from 0.4 to 4.9.These clusters are selected carefully from strong gravitational lensing systems which have both X-ray satellite observations and optical giant luminous arcs with known redshifts.Giant arcs usually appear in the central region of clusters,where mass can be traced with luminosity quite well.Based on gravitational lensing theory and a cluster mass distribution model,we can derive a ratio using two angular diameter distances.One is the distance between lensing sources and the other is that between the deflector and the source. Since angular diameter distance relies heavily on cosmological geometry,we can use these ratios to constrain cosmological models.Moreover,X-ray gas fractions of galaxy clusters can also be a cosmological probe.Because there are a dozen parameters to be fitted,we introduce a new analytic algorithm,Powell＇s UOBYQA（Unconstrained Optimization By Quadratic Approximation） ,to accelerate our calculation.Our result demonstrates that this algorithm is an effective fitting method for such a continuous multi-parameter constraint.We find an interesting fact that these two approaches are separately sensitive toΩΛandΩM.By combining them,we can get reasonable fitting values of basic cosmological parameters：ΩM=0.26 ＋0.04 -0.04,andΩΛ=0.82 ＋0.14 -0.16.

The relaxation of galaxy clusters at redshift z=0 in IllustrisTNG simulation

We study the dynamical states of the 30 most massive galaxy clusters in the TNG100 simulation at redshift z = 0 using three types of tracers: stars, dark matter particles and satellite galaxies. If the massive galaxy cluster is spherically symmetric and relaxed, we can obtain the underlying total mass distribution accurately from its dynamical tracers using the spherical Jeans equations. Although the three tracers of clusters have very different number densities, velocity dispersions and anisotropies, they still trace the same total mass profile. We obtain the total mass profiles of clusters using these tracers separately and compare them with the true mass distributions. We find that:(1) the kinematics of dark matter trace the total mass of all clusters well and the mass inferred from dark matter are generally consistent with the true mass profiles with relative deviations smaller than ~ 25% at all radii;(2) stars in ~ 60% massive clusters are approaching equilibrium and the total mass of these clusters inferred from stars have relative deviations smaller than ~50% at all radii. Stellar substructures are rich and the mass inferred from stars tend to be over-estimated in the inner region;and(3) satellite galaxies are unrelaxed in the inner region and become more relaxed as the radius increases. The total mass inferred from satellites are under-estimated in all regions.

Merger Dynamics of the Pair of Galaxy Clusters-A399 and A401

Convincing evidence for a past interaction between the two rich clusters A399 and A401 was recently found in the X-ray imaging observations. We examine the structure and dynamics of this pair of galaxy clusters. A mixture-modeling algorithm was applied to obtain a robust partition into two clusters, which allowed us to discuss the virial mass and velocity distribution of each cluster. Assuming that these two clusters follow a linear orbit and they have once experienced a close encounter, we model the binary cluster as a two-body system. As a result, four gravitationally bound solutions are obtained. The recent X-ray observations seem to favor a scenario in which the two clusters with a true separation of 5.4h-1 Mpc are currently expanding at 583 km s-1 along a direction with a projection angle of 67.5°, and they will reach a maximum extent of 5.65 h-1 Mpc in about 1.0 h-1 Gyr.

The peculiar velocity and temperature profile of galaxy clusters

Dynamical parameters like average velocity dispersion and temperature profile of galaxy clusters are determined using the theory of quasi-equilibrium ther- modynamics. The calculated results of velocity dispersion show a good agreement between theory and simulations with the results of velocity dispersion from Abdullah et al. An adaptive mesh refinement grid-based hybrid code has been used to carry out the simulations. Our results indicate that the average velocity dispersion profile of 20 Abell galaxy clusters falls in the range of 500 - 1000 km s^-1 and their temperature profile is of the order of 10^7 to 10^8 K calculated on the basis of kinetic theory. The data in the plot show a significant contribution from gravitating particles clustering together in the vicinity of the cluster center and beyond a certain region this veloc- ity dies out and becomes dominated by the Hubble flow due to which all the galaxy clusters in an expanding universe participate in Hubble expansion.

Testing the distance-duality relation with data from galaxy clusters and type Ia supernovae

We test the distance-duality （DD） relation by combining the angular diameter distance DA provided by two galaxy cluster samples compiled by De Filippis et al. （the elliptical β model） and Bonamente et al. （the spherical β model）, and the luminosity distance DL from Constitution and Union2 type Ia supernova （SNe Ia） datasets. To obtain DL associated with the observed DA at the same redshift, we smooth the noise of the SNe Ia in a model-independent way, obtain the evolutionary curve of DL and, finally, test the DD relation. We find that the elliptical β model, when compared with the SNe Ia from the Constitution compilation, is only consistent with the DD relation at the 3σ confidence level （CL）, while the spherical β model is incompatible with the DD relation at the 3σ CL. For the Union2 compilation, the De Filippis and Bonamente samples are marginally compatible with the validity of the DD relation at the 1σ and 2σ CLs, respectively.

Integrated HI emission in galaxy groups and clusters

The integrated HI emission from hierarchical structures such as groups and clusters of galax- ies can be detected by FAST at intermediate redshifts. Here we propose to use FAST to study the evolution of the global HI content of clusters and groups over cosmic time by measuring their integrated HI emissions. We use the Virgo Cluster as an example to estimate the detection limit of FAST, and have estimated the integration time to detect a Virgo type cluster at different redshifts （from z = 0.1 to z ---- 1.5）. We have also employed a semi-analytic model （SAM） to simulate the evolution of HI contents in galaxy clusters. Our simulations suggest that the HI mass of a Virgo-like cluster could be 2-3 times higher and the physical size could be more than 50% smaller when redshift increases from z = 0.3 to z = 1. Thus the integration time could be reduced significantly and gas rich clusters at intermediate redshifts can be detected by FAST in less than 2 hours of integration time. For the local Universe, we have also used SAM simulations to create mock catalogs of clusters to predict the outcomes from FAST all sky surveys. Comparing with the optically selected catalogs derived by cross matching the galaxy catalogs from the SDSS survey and the ALFALFA survey, we find that the HI mass distribution of the mock catalog with 20 s of integration time agrees well with that of observations. However, the mock catalog with 120 s of integration time predicts many more groups and clusters that contain a population of low mass HI galaxies not detected by the ALFALFA survey. A future deep HI blind sky survey with FAST would be able to test such prediction and set constraints on the numerical simulation models. The observational strategy and sample selections for future FAST observations of galaxy clusters at high redshifts are also discussed.

Mock X-Ray Observations of Hot Gas with L-Galaxies Semi-analytic Models of Galaxy Formation

We create mock X-ray observations of hot gas in galaxy clusters with a new extension of the L-Galaxies semianalytic model of galaxy formation,which includes the radial distribution of hot gas in each halo.Based on the model outputs,we first build some mock light cones,then generate mock spectra with the SOXS package and derive the mock images in the light cones.Using the mock data,we simulate mock X-ray spectra for the ROSAT all-sky survey,and compare the mock spectra with the observational results.Then,we consider the design parameters of the HUBS mission and simulate the observation of the halo hot gas for HUBS as an important application of our mock work.We find:(1)our mock data match the observations by current X-ray telescopes.(2)The survey of hot baryons in resolved clusters by HUBS is effective below redshift 0.5,and the observations of the emission lines in point-like sources at z>0.5 by HUBS help us understand the hot baryons in the early universe.(3)By taking advantage of the large simulation box and flexibility in semi-analytic models,our mock X-ray observations provide the opportunity to select targets and observation strategies for forthcoming X-ray facilities.

LISC Catalog of Open ClustersⅢ.83 Newly Found Galactic Disk Open Clusters Using Gaia EDR3

As groups of coeval stars born from the same molecular cloud,an open cluster(OC)is an ideal laboratory for studying the structure and dynamical evolution of the Milky Way.The release of high-precision Gaia Early Data Release 3(Gaia EDR3)and modern machine-learning methods offer unprecedented opportunities to identify OCs.In this study,we extended conventional HDBSCAN(e-HDBSCAN)for searching for new OCs in Gaia EDR3.A pipeline was developed based on the parallel computing technique to blindly search for OCs from Gaia EDR3within Galactic latitudes∣b∣<25°.As a result,we obtained 3787 star clusters,of which 83 new OCs were reported after cross-match and visual inspection.At the same time,the main star cluster parameters are estimated by color-magnitude diagram fitting.The study significantly increases the sample size and physical parameters of OCs in the catalog of OCs.It shows the incompleteness of the census of OCs across our Galaxy.

Classifying Globular Clusters and Applying them to Estimate the mass of the Milky Way

We combine the kinematics of 159 globular clusters(GCs) provided by the Gaia Early Data Release 3(EDR3) with other observational data to classify the GCs,and to estimate the mass of the Milky Way(MW).We use the agemetallicity relation,integrals of motion,action space and the GC orbits to identify the GCs as either formed in situ(Bulge and Disk) or ex situ(via accretion).We find that 45.3% have formed in situ,while 38.4% may be related to known merger events:Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus,the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy,the Helmi streams,the Sequoia galaxy and the Kraken galaxy.We also further identify three new sub-structures associated with the Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus.The remaining 16.3% of GCs are unrelated to the known mergers and thought to be from small accretion events.We select 46 GCs which have radii 8.0 <r<37.3 kpc and obtain the anisotropy parameter β=0.315_(-0.049)^(+0.055),which is lower than the recent result using the sample of GCs in Gaia Data Release 2,but still in agreement with it by considering the error bar.By using the same sample,we obtain the MW mass inside the outermost GC as M(<37.3 kpc)=0.423_(-0.02)^(+0.02)×10^(12)M_(⊙),and the corresponding M_(200)=1.11_(-0.18)^(+0.25)×10^(12)M_(⊙).The estimated mass is consistent with the results in many recent studies.We also find that the estimated β and mass depend on the selected sample of GCs.However,it is difficult to determine whether a GC fully traces the potential of the MW.

Fractions of Compact Object Binaries in Star Clusters:Theoretical Predictions

The binary population in field stars and star clusters contributes to the formation of gravitational wave(GW)sources.However,the fraction of compact-object binaries(CBs),which is an important feature parameter of binary populations,is still difficult to measure and very uncertain.This paper predicts the fractions of important CBs and semi-compact object binaries(SCBs) making use of an advanced stellar population synthesis technique.A comparison with the result of N-body simulation is also presented.It is found that most CBs are formed within about 500 Myr after the starburst.The fractions of CBs and SCBs are demonstrated to correlate with stellar metallicity.The higher the metallicity becomes,the smaller the fraction of black hole binaries(BHBs),neutron star binaries(NSBs) and SCBs.This suggests that the GW sources of BHBs and NSBs are more likely to form in metal-poor environments.However,the fraction of black hole-neutron star binaries is shown to be larger for metalrich populations on average.

The Study of Helium Variations in Star Clusters Using China Space Station Telescope

The China Space Station Telescope(CSST)is a 2 m space-based optical-UV telescope.Its primary goal is to carry out a high-resolution photometric imaging survey of a 17,500 square degree sky area using the on board Survey Camera.With its wide field of view(1.1 square degrees)and a mosaic imager containing 640 million pixels,studying the different populations of stars within star clusters is highly feasible.The aim of this study is to assess the CSST's ability to distinguish between stellar populations with varying helium abundance levels,with the help of Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics.The results of the CSST's photometry for these different populations are presented by transferring the models into the CSST Survey Camera photometric system.The findings confirm that helium-enriched stellar populations will have unique patterns in the color-magnitude diagrams under the CSST photometric system,compared to normal stellar populations.The CSST,with its filters and wide field of view of the Survey Camera,provides a new avenue for the study of multiple populations in star clusters.

A Fermi-LAT Study of Globular Cluster Dynamical Evolution in the Milky Way:Millisecond Pulsars as the Probe

Using archival Fermi-LAT data with a time span of~12 yr,we study the population of Millisecond Pulsars(MSPs)in Globular Clusters(GlCs)and investigate their dependence on cluster dynamical evolution in the Milky Way.We show that theγ-ray luminosity(L_(γ))and emissivity(i.e.,ε_(γ)=L_(γ)/M,with M the cluster mass)are good indicators of the population and abundance of MSPs in GlCs,and they are highly dependent on the dynamical evolution history of the host clusters.Specifically speaking,the dynamically older GlCs with more compact structures are more likely to have larger L_(γ)andε_(γ),and these trends can be summarized as strong correlations with cluster stellar encounter rateΓand the specific encounter rate(Λ=Γ/M),with L_(γ)∝Γ^(0.7±0.11)andε_(γ)∝Λ^(0.73±0.13)for dynamically normal GlCs.However,as GlCs evolve into deep core collapse,these trends are found to be reversed,implying that strong encounters may have lead to the disruption of Low-Mass X-ray Binaries and ejection of MSPs from core-collapsed systems.Besides,the GlCs are found to exhibit largerε_(γ)with increasing stellar mass function slope(ε_(γ)∝10^((0.52±0.1)α)),decreasing tidal radius(ε_(γ)∝R_(t)^(-10±0.22))and distances from the Galactic Center(GC,ε_(γ)∝R_(gc)^(-1.13±0.21)).These correlations indicate that,as GlCs losing kinetic energy and spiral in toward the GC,tidal stripping and mass segregation have a preference in leading to the loss of normal stars from GlCs,while MSPs are more likely to concentrate to cluster center and be deposited into the GC.Moreover,we gaugeε_(γ)of GlCs is~10-1000 times larger than the Galactic bulge,the latter is thought to reside thousands of unresolved MSPs and may be responsible for the GC 7-ray excess,which supports that GlCs are generous contributors to the population of MSPs in the GC.

Variable Stars in the 50BiN Open Cluster Survey.Ⅲ.NGC 884

Open clusters are the basic building blocks that serve as a laboratory for the study of young stellar populations in the Milky Way.Variable stars in open clusters provide a unique way to accurately probe the internal structure,temporal and dynamical evolutionary stages of individual stars and the host cluster.The most powerful tool for such studies is time-domain photometric observations.This paper follows the route of our previous work,concentrating on a photometric search for variable stars in NGC 884.The target cluster is the companion of NGC869,forming the well-known double cluster system that is gravitationally bound.From the observation run in 2016 November,a total of 9247 B-band CCD images and 8218Ⅴ-band CCD images were obtained.We detected a total of 15 stars with variability in visual brightness,including five Be stars,three eclipsing binaries,and seven of unknown types.Two new variable stars were discovered in this work.We also compared the variable star content of NGC 884 with its companion NGC 869.

A Possible γ-Ray Pulsation from PSR J1740-5340B in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

Recently, a new radio millisecond pulsar(MSP) J1740-5340B, hosted in the globular cluster(GC) NGC 6397,was reported with a 5.78 ms spin period in an eclipsing binary system with a 1.97 days orbital period. Based on a modified radio ephemeris updated by tool tempo2, we analyze the ~15 yr γ-ray data obtained from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and detect PSR J1740-5340B's γ-ray pulsation at a confidence level of ~4σ with a weighted H-test value of ~26. By performing a phase-resolved analysis, the γ-ray luminosity in on-pulse interval of PSR J1740-5340B is L_(γ)~ 3.8 × 10^(33) erg s^(-1) using NGC 6397's distance of 2.48 kpc. And γ-rays from the on-pulse part of PSR J1740-5340B contribute ~90% of the total observed γ-ray emissions from NGC 6397. No significant γ-ray pulsation of another MSP J1740-5340A in the GC is detected.Considering that the previous four cases of MSPs in GCs, more data in γ-ray, X-ray, and radio are encouraged to finally confirm the γ-ray emissions from MSP J1740-5340B, especially starving for a precise ephemeris.

A binary study of color-magnitude diagrams of 12 globular clusters

Binary stars are common in star clusters and galaxies, but the detailed ef- fects of binary evolution are not taken into account in some color-magnitude diagram （CMD） studies. This paper studies the CMDs of twelve globular clusters via binary- star stellar populations. The observational CMDs of the star clusters are compared to those of binary-star populations, and then the stellar metallicities, ages, distances and reddenings of these star clusters are obtained. The paper also tests the different effects of binary and single stars on CMD studies. It is shown that binaries can better fit the observational CMDs of the sample globular clusters compared to single stars. This suggests that the effects of binary evolution should be considered when modeling the CMDs and stellar populations of star clusters and galaxies.

Abundance Gradient from Open Clusters and Implications for the Galactic Disk Evolution

We compile a new sample of 89 open clusters with ages, distances and metallicities available. We derive a radial iron gradient of about -0.099±0.008 dex kpc^(-1) (unweighted) for the whole sample, which is somewhat greater than the most recent determination of oxygen gradient from nebulae and young stars. By dividing the clusters into age groups, we show that the iron gradient was steeper in the past and has evolved slowly in time. Current data show a substantial scatter of the cluster metallicities indicating that the Galactic disk has undergone a very rapid, inhomogeneous enrichment. Also, based on a simple, but quite successful model of chemical evolution of the Milky Way disk, we make a detailed calculation of the iron abundance gradient and its time evolution. The predicted current iron gradient is about -0.072 dex kpc^(-1). The model also predicts a steady flattening of the iron gradient with time, which agrees with the result from our open cluster sample.

The Origin of Cosmic Structures Part 1—Stars to Superclusters

Our original intent was to explain the origin of large HI structures. In order to understand HI structures, however, it is first necessary to understand the origin of both galaxies and galaxy clusters. Explaining their origin is the purpose of Part 1 of this work. In our new model of cosmology, the creation of protons during nucleosynthesis was regulated by an imprint embedded in the vacuum in a manner that eventually resulted in the cosmic structures we now observe. Immediately after nucleosynthesis and for a considerable period afterward, the evolution was dominated by the expansion of the universe. Gradually, gravitational influences became important until eventually, the two became equal. At that point, the structures ceased to increase in size, and thereafter, their evolution was dominated by the gravitational interaction of the particles. The zero-velocity point for galaxies and galaxy clusters occurred at the usually accepted time of the beginning of galaxy formation. The initial population of stars also started their compaction at that same time but, in this case, partially for reasons having to do with the temperature of the proton gas. Many details of the evolution of the structure are discussed. We discuss the equilibrium of galaxy clusters and present a model that can potentially account for the present-day energy of the intracluster gas. Another outcome is that, at the time when the galaxies reached their zero-velocity point, they were several times larger than their present-day size, a fact that is critical for understanding the origin of the larger HI rings. In Part 2 of this work, we show that the HI structures can readily be understood in terms of the model developed here.

The Origin of Cosmic Structures Part 3 — Supermassive Black Holes and Galaxy Cluster Evolution

In Part 1 of this work, we showed that our new model of cosmology can account for the origin of all cosmic structures ranging in size from stars up to superclusters. In this model, at the time of nucleosynthesis, an imprint embedded in the vacuum regulated the creation of the protons (and electrons) that later made up the structures. Immediately after nucleosynthesis and for a considerable period afterward, the evolution was completely determined by the expansion of the universe. Gradually, however, gravitational influences became more important until finally, the expansion of the structures-to-be ceased at their zero velocity points. Stars, galaxies, and galaxy clusters all reached their zero velocity points more or less simultaneously at the usually accepted time of the beginning of galaxy formation. From that point onward, the evolution gravitation came to dominate the evolution although the expansion still exerted its influence. In this paper, we examine the subsequent cluster evolution in some detail. We establish the conditions required to prevent a free-fall collapse of the clusters and then show that galaxies with quasar-like active nuclei located within the cluster were the sources of the necessary radiation. We also show that the required galactic supermassive black holes were a consequence of the initial free-fall collapse of all galaxies.

The YSZ,Planck - YSZ,XMM scaling relation and its difference between cool-core and non-cool-core clusters

We construct a sample of 70 clusters using data from XMM-Newton and Planck to investigate the YSZ,Planck-YSZ,XMM scaling relation and the cool-core influences on this relation.YSZ,XMM is calculated by accurately de-projected temperature and electron number density profiles derived from XMMNewton.YSZ,Planckis the latest Planck data restricted to our precise X-ray cluster size θ500.To study the cool-core influences on the YSZ,Planck-YSZ,XMM scaling relation,we apply two criteria,namely the limits of central cooling time and classic mass deposition rate,to distinguish cool-core clusters(CCCs) from non-cool-core clusters(NCCCs).We also use YSZ,Planckfrom other papers,which are derived from different methods,to confirm our results.The intercept and slope of the YSZ,Planck-YSZ,XMM scaling relation are A =-0.86 ± 0.30 and B = 0.83 ± 0.06 respectively.The intrinsic scatter is σins= 0.14 ± 0.03.The ratio of YSZ,Planck/YSZ,XMM is 1.03 ± 0.05,which is in excellent statistical agreement with unity.Discrepancies in the YSZ,Planck-YSZ,XMM scaling relation between CCCs and NCCCs are found in the observation.They are independent of the cool-core classification criteria and YSZ,Planckcalculation methods,although the discrepancies are more significant under the classification criteria of classic mass deposition rate.The intrinsic scatter of CCCs(0.04) is quite small compared to that of NCCCs(0.27).The ratio of YSZ,Planck/YSZ,XMM for CCCs is 0.89 ± 0.05,suggesting that CCCs’ YSZ,XMM may overestimate the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich(SZ)signal.By contrast,the ratio of YSZ,Planck/YSZ,XMM for NCCCs is 1.14 ± 0.12,which indicates that NCCCs’ YSZ,XMM may underestimate the SZ signal.

Searching for Multiple Populations in Star Clusters Using the China Space Station Telescope

Multiple stellar populations(MPs) in most star clusters older than 2 Gyr, as seen by lots of spectroscopic and photometric studies, have led to a significant challenge to the traditional view of star formation. In this field, spacebased instruments, in particular the Hubble Space Telescope(HST), have made a breakthrough as they significantly improved the efficiency of detecting MPs in crowded stellar fields by images. The China Space Station Telescope(CSST) and the HST are sensitive to a similar wavelength interval, but the CSST covers a field of view which is about 5–8 times wider than that of HST. One of its instruments, the Multi-Channel Imager(MCI),will have multiple filters covering a wide wavelength range from NUV to NIR, making the CSST a potentially powerful tool for studying MPs in clusters. In this work, we evaluate the efficiency of the designed filters for the MCI/CSST in revealing MPs in different color–magnitude diagrams(CMDs). We find that CMDs made with MCI/CSST photometry in appropriate UV filters are powerful tools to disentangle stellar populations with different abundances of He, C, N, O and Mg. On the contrary, the traditional CMDs are blind to multiple populations in globular clusters(GCs). We show that CSST has the potential of being the spearhead instrument for investigating MPs in GCs in the next decades.