A search for clusters and groups of galaxies on the line of sight towards 8 lensed quasars

In this paper we present new ESO/VLT FORS1 and ISAAC images of the fields around eight gravitationally lensed quasars: CTQ 414, HE 0230-2130, LBQS 1009-0252, B 1030+074, HE 1104-1805, B 1359+154, H 1413+117 and HE 2149-2745. When available and deep enough, HST/WFPC2 data were also used to infer the photometric redshifts of the galaxies around the quasars. The search of galaxy overdensities in space and redshift, as well as a weak-shear analysis and a mass reconstruction are presented in this paper. We find that there are most probably galaxy groups towards CTQ 414, HE 0230-2130, B 1359+154, H 1413+117 and HE 2149-2745, with masses ≤4× 10¹⁴ M_⊙ h^-1. Considering its photometric redshift, the galaxy group discovered in the field around HE 1104-1805 is associated with the quasar rather than with the lensing potential.

Based on observations obtained with VLT/ANTU at ESO-Paranal Observatory (programs 67.A-0502 and 69.A-0247) and with the Hubble Space Telescope, operated by NASA.