Cosmological Implications from the X-Ray Brightest Galaxy Clusters
Abstract
A new X-ray selected and X-ray flux-limited galaxy cluster sample is presented. Based on the ROSAT All-Sky Survey the 63 brightest clusters with galactic latitude ěrt bII | >= 20 deg and flux fX(0.1-2.4 keV)>= 2*E-11 ergs s-1 cm-2 have been compiled. Gravitational masses have been determined utilizing intracluster gas density profiles, derived mainly from ROSAT PSPC pointed observations, and gas temperatures, as published mainly from ASCA observations, assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. This sample and an extended sample of 106 galaxy clusters is used to establish the X-ray luminosity--gravitational mass relation. From the complete sample the galaxy cluster mass function is determined and used to constrain the mean cosmic matter density and the amplitude of mass fluctuations. Comparison to Press--Schechter type model mass functions in the framework of Cold Dark Matter cosmological models yields the constraints Ωm =0.12+0.06-0.04 and σ8= 0.96+0.15-0.12 (90 % c.l.). Various possible systematic uncertainties are quantified. Adding all identified systematic uncertainties to the statistical uncertainty in a worst case fashion results in an upper limit Ωm <0.31. For comparison to previous results a relation σ8=0.43 Ωm -0.38 is derived. The results obtained here are compared to independent results from measurements of distant supernovae and cosmic microwave background fluctuations.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001AAS...19914207R