The XMM Cluster Survey: A Massive Galaxy Cluster at z = 1.45

Journal Article · Wed May 24 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 646, no. 1, July 1, 2006, pp. 13-16

OSTI ID:900874

Stanford, S A; Romer, A K; Sabirli, K; Davidson, M; Hilton, M; Viana, P P; Collins, C A; Kay, S T; Liddle, A R; Mann, R G; Miller, C J; Nichol, R C; West, M J; Conselice, C J; Spinrad, H; Stern, D; Bundy, K

We report the discovery of XMMXCS J2215.9-1738, a massive galaxy cluster at z = 1.45, which was found in the XMM Cluster Survey. The cluster candidate was initially identified as an extended X-ray source in archival XMM data. Optical spectroscopy shows that 6 galaxies within a {approx}60 arcsec diameter region lie at z = 1.45 {+-} 0.01. Model fits to the X-ray spectra of the extended emission yield kT = 7.4{sub -1.8}{sup +2.7} keV (90% confidence); if there is an undetected central X-ray point source then kT = 6.5{sub -1.8}{sup +2.6} keV. The bolometric X-ray luminosity is L{sub x} = 4.4{sub -0.6}{sup +0.8} x 10{sup 44} ergs s{sup -1} over a 2 Mpc radial region. The measured T{sub x}, which is the highest for any known cluster at z > 1, suggests that this cluster is relatively massive for such a high redshift. The redshift of XMMXCS J2215.9-1738 is the highest currently known for a spectroscopically-confirmed cluster of galaxies.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 900874
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-222031
• Journal Information: The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 646, no. 1, July 1, 2006, pp. 13-16, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 646, no. 1, July 1, 2006, pp. 13-16 Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 646
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
LUMINOSITY
POINT SOURCES
SPECTROSCOPY
X-RAY SOURCES
X-RAY SPECTRA