X-Ray-selected Galaxy Groups in Boötes

We present the X-ray and optical properties of the galaxy groups selected in the Chandra X-Boötes survey. We used follow-up Chandra observations to better define the group sample and their X-ray properties. Group redshifts were measured from the AGN and Galaxy Evolution Survey spectroscopic data. We used photometric data from the NOAO Deep Wide Field Survey to estimate the group richness (N _gals) and the optical luminosity (L _opt). Our final sample comprises 32 systems at z < 1.75 with 14 below z = 0.35. For these 14 systems, we estimate velocity dispersions (σ _gr ) and perform a virial analysis to obtain the radii (R ₂₀₀ and R ₅₀₀) and total masses (M ₂₀₀ and M ₅₀₀) for groups with at least 5 galaxy members. We use the Chandra X-ray observations to derive the X-ray luminosity (L_X ). We examine the performance of the group properties σ_gr, L _opt, and L_X , as proxies for the group mass. Understanding how well these observables measure the total mass is important to estimate how precisely the cluster/group mass function is determined. Exploring the scaling relations built with the X-Boötes sample and comparing these with samples from the literature, we find a break in the L_X -M ₅₀₀ relation at approximately M ₅₀₀ = 5 × 10¹³ M _⊙ (for M ₅₀₀ > 5 × 10¹³ M _⊙, M₅₀₀ \propto L_X^{0.61+/- 0.02}, while for M ₅₀₀ <= 5 × 10¹³ M _⊙, M₅₀₀ \propto L_X^{0.44+/- 0.05}). Thus, the mass-luminosity relation for galaxy groups cannot be described by the same power law as galaxy clusters. A possible explanation for this break is the dynamical friction, tidal interactions, and projection effects that reduce the velocity dispersion values of the galaxy groups. By extending the cluster luminosity function to the group regime, we predict the number of groups that new X-ray surveys, particularly eROSITA, will detect. Based on our cluster/group luminosity function estimates, eROSITA will identify ~1800 groups (L_X = 10⁴¹-10⁴³ erg s^-1) within a distance of 200 Mpc. Since groups lie in large-scale filaments, this group sample will map the large-scale structure of the local universe.