Stellar and dynamical masses of brightest cluster galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (S353) ◽  
pp. 255-256
Author(s):  
S. I. Loubser

AbstractWe investigate the stellar and dynamical mass profiles of 32 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs, MK = −25.7 to −27.8 mag) in massive clusters (0.05 < z < 0.30), and in particular the rising velocity dispersion profiles of 23 of these BCGs found in Loubser et al. (2018). We make comprehensive measurements of the Gauss-Hermite higher order velocity moments h3 and h4, and find positive central values for h4 for all the BCGs. We model the stellar and dynamical mass profiles of 25 of the BCGs using the Multi-Gaussian Expansion (MGE) and Jeans Anisotropic Method (JAM) for an axisymmetric case, deriving the stellar mass-to-light ratio (ϒ*DYN), and anisotropy (βz). We further explicitly add a dark matter halo mass component (MDM within r200) which we constrain from weak lensing results. In this proceedings, we summarise the study and show an example of the results.

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (3) ◽  
pp. 4153-4165
Author(s):  
S I Loubser ◽  
H Hoekstra ◽  
A Babul ◽  
Y M Bahé ◽  
M Donahue

ABSTRACT We use stellar and dynamical mass profiles, combined with a stellar population analysis, of 32 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) at redshifts of 0.05 ≤$z$ ≤ 0.30, to place constraints on their stellar initial mass function (IMF). We measure the spatially resolved stellar population properties of the BCGs, and use it to derive their stellar mass-to-light ratios ($\Upsilon _{\star \rm POP}$). We find young stellar populations (&lt;200 Myr) in the centres of 22 per cent of the sample, and constant $\Upsilon _{\star \rm POP}$ within 15 kpc for 60 per cent of the sample. We further use the stellar mass-to-light ratio from the dynamical mass profiles of the BCGs ($\Upsilon _{\star \rm DYN}$), modelled using a multi-Gaussian expansion and Jeans Anisotropic Method, with the dark matter contribution explicitly constrained from weak gravitational lensing measurements. We directly compare the stellar mass-to-light ratios derived from the two independent methods, $\Upsilon _{\star \rm POP}$ (assuming some IMF) to $\Upsilon _{\star \rm DYN}$ for the subsample of BCGs with no young stellar populations and constant $\Upsilon _{\star \rm POP}$. We find that for the majority of these BCGs, a Salpeter (or even more bottom-heavy) IMF is needed to reconcile the stellar population and dynamical modelling results although for a small number of BCGs, a Kroupa (or even lighter) IMF is preferred. For those BCGs better fit with a Salpeter IMF, we find that the mass-excess factor against velocity dispersion falls on an extrapolation (towards higher masses) of known literature correlations. We conclude that there is substantial scatter in the IMF amongst the highest mass galaxies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (2) ◽  
pp. 1857-1880 ◽  
Author(s):  
S I Loubser ◽  
A Babul ◽  
H Hoekstra ◽  
Y M Bahé ◽  
E O’Sullivan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We investigate the stellar and dynamical mass profiles in the centres of 25 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) at redshifts of 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.30. Our spectroscopy enables us to robustly measure the Gauss–Hermite higher order velocity moments h3 and h4, which we compare to measurements for massive early-type galaxies, and central group galaxies. We measure positive central values for h4 for all the BCGs. We derive the stellar mass-to-light ratio ($\Upsilon _{\star \rm DYN}$), and velocity anisotropy (β) based on a multi-Gaussian expansion (MGE) and axisymmetric Jeans Anisotropic Methods (cylindrically and spherically aligned). We explicitly include a dark matter halo mass component, which is constrained by weak gravitational lensing measurements for these clusters. We find a strong correlation between anisotropy and velocity dispersion profile slope, with rising velocity dispersion profiles corresponding to tangential anisotropy and decreasing velocity dispersion profiles corresponding to radial anisotropy. The rising velocity dispersion profiles can also indicate a significant contribution from the intracluster light (ICL) to the total light (in projection) in the centre of the galaxy. For a small number of BCGs with rising velocity dispersion profiles, a variable stellar mass-to-light ratio can also account for the profile shape, instead of tangential anisotropy or a significant ICL contribution. We note that, for some BCGs, a variable βz(r) (from radial to tangential anisotropy) can improve the model fit to the observed kinematic profiles. The observed diversity in these properties illustrates that BCGs are not the homogeneous class of objects they are often assumed to be.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (S353) ◽  
pp. 257-258
Author(s):  
S. I. Loubser

AbstractWe study the stellar and dynamical masses, as well as the stellar populations, of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) located in 32 massive clusters, and for a sub-sample of these use the results to place constraints on the Initial Mass Function (IMF). We measure the spatially-resolved stellar population properties of the BCGs, such as recent star formation episodes, and use it to predict their stellar mass-to-light ratios (ϒ*POP). We find that ∼60 per cent of the BCGs have constant ϒ*POP over the radial range (<15 kpc). We also use the stellar and dynamical mass profiles to derive the stellar mass-to-light ratio from dynamics (ϒ*DYN, see Loubser, these proceedings). We directly compare ϒ*POP with ϒ*DYN, and find that for most BCGs, a Salpeter IMF is needed to explain their properties, but we also find a small subset of BCGs for which a Kroupa-like IMF is needed to explain their properties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (1) ◽  
pp. 310-318
Author(s):  
Roberto De Propris ◽  
Michael J West ◽  
Felipe Andrade-Santos ◽  
Cinthia Ragone-Figueroa ◽  
Elena Rasia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We explore the persistence of the alignment of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) with their local environment. We find that a significant fraction of BCGs do not coincide with the centroid of the X-ray gas distribution and/or show peculiar velocities (they are not at rest with respect to the cluster mean). Despite this, we find that BCGs are generally aligned with the cluster mass distribution even when they have significant offsets from the X-ray centre and significant peculiar velocities. The large offsets are not consistent with simple theoretical models. To account for these observations BCGs must undergo mergers preferentially along their major axis, the main infall direction. Such BCGs may be oscillating within the cluster potential after having been displaced by mergers or collisions, or the dark matter halo itself may not yet be relaxed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 2591-2604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taizo Okabe ◽  
Masamune Oguri ◽  
Sébastien Peirani ◽  
Yasushi Suto ◽  
Yohan Dubois ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We study shapes and alignments of 45 dark matter (DM) haloes and their brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) using a sample of 39 massive clusters from Hubble Frontier Field (HFF), Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH), and Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey (RELICS). We measure shapes of the DM haloes by strong gravitational lensing, whereas BCG shapes are derived from their light profiles in Hubble Space Telescope images. Our measurements from a large sample of massive clusters presented here provide new constraints on DM and cluster astrophysics. We find that DM haloes are on average highly elongated with the mean ellipticity of 0.482 ± 0.028, and position angles of major axes of DM haloes and their BCGs tend to be aligned well with the mean value of alignment angles of 22.2 ± 3.9 deg. We find that DM haloes in our sample are on average more elongated than their BCGs with the mean difference of their ellipticities of 0.11 ± 0.03. In contrast, the Horizon-AGN cosmological hydrodynamical simulation predicts on average similar ellipticities between DM haloes and their central galaxies. While such a difference between the observations and the simulation may well be explained by the difference of their halo mass scales, other possibilities include the bias inherent to strong lensing measurements, limited knowledge of baryon physics, or a limitation of cold DM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (2) ◽  
pp. 2617-2638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise O V Edwards ◽  
Matthew Salinas ◽  
Steffanie Stanley ◽  
Priscilla E Holguin West ◽  
Isabella Trierweiler ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The formation and evolution of local brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) is investigated by determining the stellar populations and dynamics from the galaxy core, through the outskirts and into the intracluster light (ICL). Integral spectroscopy of 23 BCGs observed out to $4\, r_{e}$ is collected and high signal-to-noise regions are identified. Stellar population synthesis codes are used to determine the age, metallicity, velocity, and velocity dispersion of stars within each region. The ICL spectra are best modelled with populations that are younger and less metal-rich than those of the BCG cores. The average BCG core age of the sample is $\rm 13.3\pm 2.8\, Gyr$ and the average metallicity is $\rm [Fe/H] = 0.30\pm 0.09$, whereas for the ICL the average age is $\rm 9.2\pm 3.5\, Gyr$ and the average metallicity is $\rm [Fe/H] = 0.18\pm 0.16$. The velocity dispersion profile is seen to be rising or flat in most of the sample (17/23), and those with rising values reach the value of the host cluster’s velocity dispersion in several cases. The most extended BCGs are closest to the peak of the cluster’s X-ray luminosity. The results are consistent with the idea that the BCG cores and inner regions formed quickly and long ago, with the outer regions and ICL forming more recently, and continuing to assemble through minor merging. Any recent star formation in the BCGs is a minor component, and is associated with the cluster cool core status.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S295) ◽  
pp. 316-316
Author(s):  
S. I. Loubser ◽  
P. Sánchez-Blázquez

AbstractWe present the stellar population and velocity dispersion gradients for a sample of 24 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in the nearby Universe for which we have obtained high quality long-slit spectra at the Gemini telescopes. With the aim of studying the possible connection between the formation of the BCGs and their host clusters, we explore the relations between the stellar population gradients and properties of the host clusters, as well as the possible connections between the stellar population gradients and other properties of the galaxies. We find mean stellar population gradients (negative Δ[Z/H]/log r gradient of − 0.285 ± 0.064; small positive Δlog(age)/log r gradient of +0.069 ± 0.049; and null Δ[E/Fe]/log r gradient of -0.008 ± 0.032), that are consistent with those of normal massive elliptical galaxies. However, we find a trend between metallicity gradients and velocity dispersion (with a negative slope of − 1.616 ± 0.539), that is not found for the most massive ellipticals. Furthermore, we find trends between the metallicity gradients and K-band luminosities (with a slope of 0.173 ± 0.081) as well as the distance from the BCG to the X-ray peak of the host cluster (with a slope of − 7.546 ± 2.752). The latter indicates a possible relation between the formation of the cluster and that of the central galaxy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 917 (2) ◽  
pp. L24
Author(s):  
Yong Tian ◽  
Han Cheng ◽  
Stacy S. McGaugh ◽  
Chung-Ming Ko ◽  
Yun-Hsin Hsu

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (4) ◽  
pp. 4889-4897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Herbonnet ◽  
Anja von der Linden ◽  
Steven W Allen ◽  
Adam B Mantz ◽  
Pranati Modumudi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Weak-lensing measurements of the masses of galaxy clusters are commonly based on the assumption of spherically symmetric density profiles. Yet, the cold dark matter model predicts the shapes of dark matter haloes to be triaxial. Halo triaxiality, and the orientation of the major axis with respect to the line of sight, are expected to be the leading cause of intrinsic scatter in weak-lensing mass measurements. The shape of central cluster galaxies (brightest cluster galaxies; BCGs) is expected to follow the shape of the dark matter halo. Here we investigate the use of BCG ellipticity as predictor of the weak-lensing mass bias in individual clusters compared to the mean. Using weak-lensing masses $M^{\rm WL}_{500}$ from the Weighing the Giants project, and M500 derived from gas masses as low-scatter mass proxy, we find that, on average, the lensing masses of clusters with the roundest/most elliptical 25 per cent of BCGs are biased ∼20 per cent high/low compared to the average, as qualitatively predicted by the cold dark matter model. For cluster cosmology projects utilizing weak-lensing mass estimates, the shape of the BCG can thus contribute useful information on the effect of orientation bias in weak-lensing mass estimates as well as on cluster selection bias.


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