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Chapter 5 - The Dark Matter Distribution in Clusters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

M. J. Fitchett
Affiliation:
Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
W. Oegerle
Affiliation:
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
M. Fitchett
Affiliation:
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
L. Danly
Affiliation:
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
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Summary

Abstract. This article describes the current status of various methods for determining the dark matter distribution in clusters. Despite a great deal of progress recently we still do not have good mass constraints for even one cluster. The reasons for this are discussed. New observational tools and methods of analysis should however lead to some results in the near future.

INTRODUCTION

One of the many interesting aspects of clusters of galaxies is that they appear to contain large amounts of missing mass. The evidence for this has largely been based on the application of the standard virial theorem. More sophisticated approaches which utilize cluster velocity dispersion profiles came to similar conclusions but assumed that the mass distribution in clusters was the same as that of the light (galaxy) distribution. While this may be true it is definitely at present an assumption. Much recent theoretical work has argued for different distributions for the dark and luminous components of the universe. One of the consequences of this is that we should not assume that the mass distribution in clusters parallels the light distribution. Without this assumption it is very difficult to constrain the mass distribution in clusters, and consequently total cluster masses are not as yet well determined (Bailey 1982, The & White 1986, Merritt 1987).

The cluster mass distribution is an important ‘parameter’ in that it directly influences many of the physical processes that occur in clusters.

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Clusters of Galaxies , pp. 111 - 138
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1990

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  • The Dark Matter Distribution in Clusters
    • By M. J. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
  • Edited by W. Oegerle, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, M. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, L. Danly, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
  • Book: Clusters of Galaxies
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511600135.006
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  • The Dark Matter Distribution in Clusters
    • By M. J. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
  • Edited by W. Oegerle, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, M. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, L. Danly, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
  • Book: Clusters of Galaxies
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511600135.006
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Dark Matter Distribution in Clusters
    • By M. J. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
  • Edited by W. Oegerle, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, M. Fitchett, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, L. Danly, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore
  • Book: Clusters of Galaxies
  • Online publication: 06 July 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511600135.006
Available formats
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