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Title: 60 micron luminosity evolution of rich clusters of galaxies

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169201· OSTI ID:6434039
;  [1]
  1. Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)

The average 60-micron flux has been determined for a collection of optically selected galaxy clusters at redshifts ranging from 0.30 to 0.92. The result, 26 mJy per cluster, represents the faintest flux determination known of using the IRAS data base. The flux from this set of clusters has been compared to the 60-micron flux from a sample of nearby galaxy clusters. It is found that the far-infrared luminosity evolution in cluster galaxies can be no more than a factor of 1.7 from z = 0.4 to the present epoch. This upper limit is close to the evolution predicted for simple aging of the stellar populations. Additional processes such as mergers, cannibalism, or enhanced rates of starbursts appear to occur at a low enough level that they have little influence on the far-infrared emission from clusters over this redshift range. 38 refs.

OSTI ID:
6434039
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 361; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English