The Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey: status and first results
Abstract
We present recent results from the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey (NGVS). NGVS is a CFHT MegaCam large program to observe the Virgo Cluster from its core to virial radius, for a total coverage of 104 square degrees. The survey is performing deep imaging (10 sigma detection for point sources of 25.9 mag in the g-band) in five band-passes (u*,g',r',i',z') and will reach a depth never attained before in optical studies of the Virgo cluster. The program's main scientific objectives are: the characterization of the faint-end of the galaxy luminosity function, the characterization of galaxy scaling relations from low to high masses, the cluster/intracluster medium/galaxy connection, the role of environmental effects in galaxy evolution,and the fossil record of star formation and chemical enrichment in dense environments. Numerous ancillary projects --- from a survey of the Galactic halo to a cosmic shear measurement of the matter power spectrum on large scales --- are also under way. We present the status of the survey and multi--wavelength projects, and results on recently detected high--redshift galaxy clusters.
- Publication:
-
SF2A-2011: Proceedings of the Annual meeting of the French Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011sf2a.conf..153M
- Keywords:
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- Galaxy clusters;
- galaxies;
- evolution