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The overall objective of this study is to investigate claims found in the literature that fossil groups, characterized by a large magnitude gap between their two brightest galaxies, are darker, i.e. exhibit higher mass-to-light (M/L) ratios, compared to regular groups. Specifically, we aim to measure the mass of these systems using the weak gravitational lensing technique. To achieve this, we obtained deep images of four fossil systems with the CFHT telescope in the |$r$| and g bands. Through a careful process of weak gravitational shear measurement, including corrections for the point spread function (PSF) and contamination from group and foreground galaxies, we fit NFW models and obtained mass measurements as a result. Similarly, we quantified the light distribution produced by these groups, taking into account relevant data gaps in the images due to the presence of bright stars, as well as contamination from foreground and background galaxies. We obtained masses and M/L ratios that are consistent with previous results where mass was estimated from galaxy dynamics. Indeed, the four fossil systems studied here exhibit high M/L ratios compared to the general population of systems. Drawing more generalizable conclusions from a sample of only four systems is challenging. However, the procedure outlined in this study can be applied to large image surveys, allowing for a revisiting of this question with significantly reduced statistical uncertainties. This will enable a more homogeneous comparison between fossil groups and clusters and the overall population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Galaxy clusters are an essential tool to understand and constrain the cosmological parameters of our universe. Thanks to its multi-band design, J-PAS offers a unique group and cluster detection window using precise photometric redshifts and sufficient depths. Aims. We produced galaxy cluster catalogues from miniJPAS, which is a pathfinder survey for the wider J-PAS survey, using the PZWav algorithm. Methods. Relying only on photometric information, we provide optical mass tracers for the identified clusters, including richness, optical luminosity, and stellar mass. By reanalysing the Chandra mosaic of the AEGIS field, alongside the overlapping XMM-Newton observations, we produced an X-ray catalogue. Results. The analysis revealed the possible presence of structures with masses of 4 × 1013 M⊙ at redshift 0.75, highlighting the depth of the survey. Comparing results with those from two other cluster catalogues provided by AMICO and VT, we found 43 common clusters with cluster centre offsets of 100 ± 60 kpc and redshift differences below 0.001. We provide a comparison of the cluster catalogues with a catalogue of massive galaxies and report on the significance of cluster selection. In general, we were able to recover approximately 75% of the galaxies with M⋆ > 2 × 1011 M⊙. Conclusions. This study emphasises the potential of the J-PAS survey and the employed techniques, including down to group scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a catalogue of 4499 groups and clusters of galaxies from the first data release of the multi-filter (5 broad, 7 narrow) Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS). These groups and clusters are distributed over 273 deg2 in the Stripe 82 region. They are found using the PzWav algorithm, which identifies peaks in galaxy density maps that have been smoothed by a cluster scale difference-of-Gaussians kernel to isolate clusters and groups. Using a simulation-based mock catalogue, we estimate the purity and completeness of cluster detections: at S/N > 3.3, we define a catalogue that is 80 per cent pure and complete in the redshift range 0.1 < z < 0.4, for clusters with M200 > 1014 M⊙. We also assessed the accuracy of the catalogue in terms of central positions and redshifts, finding scatter of σR = 12 kpc and σz = 8.8 × 10−3, respectively. Moreover, less than 1 per cent of the sample suffers from fragmentation or overmerging. The S-PLUS cluster catalogue recovers ∼80 per cent of all known X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich selected clusters in this field. This fraction is very close to the estimated completeness, thus validating the mock data analysis and paving an efficient way to find new groups and clusters of galaxies using data from the ongoing S-PLUS project. When complete, S-PLUS will have surveyed 9300 deg2 of the sky, representing the widest uninterrupted areas with narrow-through-broad multi-band photometry for cluster follow-up studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) will scan thousands of square degrees of the northern sky with a unique set of 56 filters using the dedicated 2.55 m Javalambre Survey Telescope (JST) at the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory. Prior to the installation of the main camera (4.2 deg2 field-of-view with 1.2 Gpixels), the JST was equipped with the JPAS-Pathfinder, a one CCD camera with a 0.3 deg2 field-of-view and plate scale of 0.23 arcsec pixel−1. To demonstrate the scientific potential of J-PAS, the JPAS-Pathfinder camera was used to perform miniJPAS, a ∼1 deg2 survey of the AEGIS field (along the Extended Groth Strip). The field was observed with the 56 J-PAS filters, which include 54 narrow band (FWHM ∼ 145 Å) and two broader filters extending to the UV and the near-infrared, complemented by the u, g, r, i SDSS broad band filters. In this miniJPAS survey overview paper, we present the miniJPAS data set (images and catalogs), as we highlight key aspects and applications of these unique spectro-photometric data and describe how to access the public data products. The data parameters reach depths of magAB ≃ 22−23.5 in the 54 narrow band filters and up to 24 in the broader filters (5σ in a 3″ aperture). The miniJPAS primary catalog contains more than 64 000 sources detected in the r band and with matched photometry in all other bands. This catalog is 99% complete at r = 23.6 (r = 22.7) mag for point-like (extended) sources. We show that our photometric redshifts have an accuracy better than 1% for all sources up to r = 22.5, and a precision of ≤0.3% for a subset consisting of about half of the sample. On this basis, we outline several scientific applications of our data, including the study of spatially-resolved stellar populations of nearby galaxies, the analysis of the large scale structure up to z ∼ 0.9, and the detection of large numbers of clusters and groups. Sub-percent redshift precision can also be reached for quasars, allowing for the study of the large-scale structure to be pushed to z > 2. The miniJPAS survey demonstrates the capability of the J-PAS filter system to accurately characterize a broad variety of sources and paves the way for the upcoming arrival of J-PAS, which will multiply this data by three orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COnstrain Dark Energy with X-ray clusters (CODEX) sample contains the largest flux limited sample of X-ray clusters at 0.35 < z < 0.65. It was selected from ROSAT data in the 10 000 square degrees of overlap with BOSS, mapping a total number of 2770 high- z galaxy clusters. We present here the full results of the CFHT CODEX programme on cluster mass measurement, including a reanalysis of CFHTLS Wide data, with 25 individual lensing-constrained cluster masses. We employ lensfit shape measurement and perform a conservative colour–space selection and weighting of background galaxies. Using the combination of shape noise and an analytic covariance for intrinsic variations of cluster profiles at fixed mass due to large-scale structure, miscentring, and variations in concentration and ellipticity, we determine the likelihood of the observed shear signal as a function of true mass for each cluster. We combine 25 individual cluster mass likelihoods in a Bayesian hierarchical scheme with the inclusion of optical and X-ray selection functions to derive constraints on the slope α, normalization β, and scatter σln λ|μ of our richness–mass scaling relation model in log-space: |${\langle {\rm In}\,\, \lambda\!\!\mid\!\!\mu\rangle = \alpha\mu + \beta,} $| with μ = ln (M 200 c / M piv), and M piv = 1014.81M⊙. We find a slope |$\alpha = 0.49^{+0.20}_{-0.15}$|⁠ , normalization |$\exp (\beta) = 84.0^{+9.2}_{-14.8}$|⁠ , and |$\sigma _{\ln \lambda | \mu } = 0.17^{+0.13}_{-0.09}$| using CFHT richness estimates. In comparison to other weak lensing richness–mass relations, we find the normalization of the richness statistically agreeing with the normalization of other scaling relations from a broad redshift range (0.0 < z < 0.65) and with different cluster selection (X-ray, Sunyaev–Zeldovich, and optical). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here new insights about the merging galaxy cluster Abell 2034 (⁠|$\bar{z}=0.114$|⁠) based on a combined weak lensing and dynamical analysis. From our deep Subaru BRC |$z$| ′ images plus Gemini–GMOS/N low-resolution spectra accompanied by available redshift data, we have obtained the individual masses of the colliding subclusters as well as estimated a timeline of the process. The collision event happened |$0.56^{+0.15}_{-0.22}$| Gyr ago between the subclusters A2034S (⁠|$M_{200}^S=2.35_{-0.99}^{+0.84}\times 10^{14}$| M⊙) and A2034N (⁠|$M_{200}^N = 1.08_{-0.71}^{+0.51} \times 10^{14}$| M⊙) with the gas content of both subclusters displaced in relation to their galaxy and dark matter distributions, in a scenario similar to that found in the Bullet Cluster. Following our data and modelling the collision event is, most likely, taking place not so far from the plane of the sky, with an angle of 27° ± 14° in relation to that. In spite of the intrinsic degeneracy inherent to the system (whether it has been observed incoming or outgoing), the comparison of our calculated time since the closest approximation with the estimated age of the observed X-ray shock front and the increment experienced by the velocity dispersion of the galaxy cluster members point towards an outgoing movement. Besides, we found a strong evidence for the presence of a third structure that we called A2034W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the galaxy cluster RXC J1504-0248, a remarkable example of a structure with a strong cool core in a near redshift (z =  0.216). We performed a combined analysis using photometric and spectroscopic data obtained at Gemini South Telescope. We estimated the cluster mass through gravitational lensing, obtaining M200 =  5.3 ±  0.4 ×  1014  $h_{70}^{-1}$  M⊙ within R200 =  1.56 ±  0.04  $h^{-1}_{70}$  Mpc, in agreement with a virial mass estimate. This cluster presents a prominent filamentary structure associated with its brightest cluster galaxy, located mainly along its major axis and aligned with the X-ray emission. A combined study of three emission line diagnostic diagrams has shown that the filament emission falls in the so-called transition region of these diagrams. Consequently, several ionizing sources should be playing a meaningful role. We have argued that old stars, often invoked to explain low-ionization nuclear emission-line region emission, should not be the major source of ionization. We have noticed that most of the filamentary emission has line ratios consistent with the shock excitation limits obtained from shock models. We also found that line fluxes are related to gas velocities (here estimated from line widths) by power laws with slopes in the range expected from shock models. These models also show, however, that only ∼10 per cent of H α luminosity can be explained by shocks. We conclude that shocks probably associated with the cooling of the intracluster gas in a filamentary structure may indeed be contributing to the filament nebular emission, but cannot be the major source of ionizing photons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The galaxy cluster Abell 3376 is a nearby (z = 0.046) dissociative merging cluster surrounded by two prominent radio relics and showing an X-ray comet-like morphology. The merger system is comprised of the subclusters A3376W and A3376E. Based on new deep multiwavelength large-field images and published redshifts, we bring new insights about the history of this merger. Despite the difficulty of applying the weak lensing technique at such low redshift, we successfully recovered the mass distribution in the cluster field. Moreover, with the application of a two-body model, we have addressed the dynamics of this merging system. We have found the individual masses of M200W= 3.0-1.7+1.3 × 1014 M⊚ and M200E= 0.9-0.8+0.5 × 1014 M⊚. The cometary-shaped X-ray distribution shows only one peak spatially coincident with both eastern BCG and the A3376E mass peak whereas the gas content of A3376W seems to be stripped out. Our data allowed us to confirm the existence of a third subcluster located at the north, 1147 ± 62 kpc apart from the neighbour subcluster A3376E and having a mass MN200 = 1.4-1.0+0.7 × 1014 M⊚. From our dynamical analysis, we found the merging is taking place very close to the plane of the sky, with the merger axis just 10° ± 11° from it. The application of a two-body analysis code showed that the merging cluster is seen 0.9-0.3+0.2 Gyr after the pericentric passage and it is currently going to the point of maximum separation between the subclusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a stacked weak-lensing analysis of 27 richness selected galaxy clusters at 0.40 ≤ z ≤ 0.62 in the COnstrain Dark Energy with X-ray galaxy clusters (CODEX) survey. The fields were observed in five bands with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). We measure the stacked surface mass density profile with a 14σ significance in the radial range 0.1 < R Mpc h-1 < 2.5. The profile is well described by the halo model, with the main halo term following a Navarro-Frenk-White profile (NFW) profile and including the off-centring effect. We select the background sample using a conservative colour-magnitude method to reduce the potential systematic errors and contamination by cluster member galaxies.We perform a Bayesian analysis for the stacked profile and constrain the best-fitting NFW parameters M200c = 6.6+1.0-0.8 × 1014 h-1M☉ and c200c = 3.7+0.7-0.6. The off-centring effect was modelled based on previous observational results found for redMaPPer Sloan Digital Sky Survey clusters. Our constraints on M200c and c200c allow us to investigate the consistency with numerical predictions and select a concentration-mass relation to describe the high richness CODEX sample. Comparing our best-fitting values forM200c and c200c with other observational surveys at different redshifts, we find no evidence for evolution in the concentration-mass relation, though it could be mitigated by particular selection functions. Similar to previous studies investigating the X-ray luminosity-mass relation, our data suggest a lower evolution than expected from self-similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a weak-lensing and dynamical study of the complex cluster Abell 1758 (A1758, z = 0.278) supported by hydrodynamical simulations. This cluster is composed of two main structures called A1758N and A1758S. The northern structure is composed of A1758NW and A1758NE, with lensing determined masses of 7.90+1.89 -1.55 × 1014 M☉ and 5.49+1.67 -1.33 × 1014 M☉, respectively. They show a remarkable feature: while in A1758NW, there is a spatial agreement among weak-lensing mass distribution, intracluster medium and its brightest cluster galaxy (BCG), in A1758NE, the X-ray peak is located 96+14 -15 arcsec away from the mass peak and BCG positions. Given the detachment between gas and mass, we could use the local surface mass density to estimate an upper limit for the dark matter self-interaction cross-section: σ/m < 5.83 cm2 g-1. Combining our velocity data with hydrodynamical simulations, we have shown that A1758 NW and NE had their closest approach 0.27 Gyr ago and their merger axis is 21° ± 12° from the plane of the sky. In the A1758S system, we have measured a total mass of 4.96+1.08 -1.19 × 1014 M☉ and, using radial velocity data, we found that the main merger axis is located at 70° ± 4° from the plane of the sky, therefore closest to the line of sight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an axially symmetric formula to calculate the probability of finding gravitational arcs in galaxy clusters, being induced by their massive dark matter haloes, as a function of clusters redshifts and virial masses. The formula includes the ellipticity of the clusters dark matter potential by using a pseudo-elliptical approximation. The probabilities are calculated and compared for two dark-matter halo profiles, the Navarro, Frenk and White (NFW) and the Non-Singular-Isothermal-Sphere (NSIS). We demonstrate the power of our formulation through a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test on the strong lensing statistics of an X-ray bright sample of low redshift Abell clusters. This KS test allows to establish limits on the values of the concentration parameter for the NFW profile (cΔ) and the core radius for the NSIS profile (rc), which are related to the lowest cluster redshift (zcut) where strong arcs can be observed. For NFW dark matter profiles, we infer cluster haloes with concentrations that are consistent to those predicted by ΛCDM simulations. As for NSIS dark matter profiles, we find only upper limits for the clusters core radii and thus do not rule out a purely SIS model. For alternative mass profiles, our formulation provides constraints through zcut on the parameters that control the concentration of mass in the inner region of the clusters haloes. We find that zcut is expected to lie in the 0.0-0.2 redshift, highlighting the need to include very low-zz clusters in samples to study the clusters mass profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Galaxy evolution is known to depend on environment since it differs in clusters and in the field, but studies are sometimes limited to the relatively nearby Universe (z < 0.5). It is still necessary to increase our knowledge of cluster galaxy properties above z = 0.5. Aims. In a previous paper we have detected several cluster candidates at z > 0.5 as part of a systematic search for clusters in the Canada France Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey by applying the Adami & MAzure Cluster FInder (AMACFI), based on photometric redshifts. We focus here on two of them, located in the Deep 3 (hereafter D3) field: D3-6 and D3-43. Methods. We have obtained spectroscopy with Gemini/GMOS instrument and measured redshifts for 23 and 14 galaxies in the two structures. These redshifts were combined with those available in the literature. A dynamical and a weak lensing analysis were also performed, together with the study of X-ray Chandra archive data. Results. Cluster D3-6 is found to be a single structure of eight spectroscopically confirmed members at an average redshift z = 0.607, with a velocity dispersion of 423 km s-1. It appears to be a relatively low-mass cluster. D3-43-S3 has 46 spectroscopically confirmed members at an average redshift z = 0.739. The cluster can be decomposed into two main substructures, having a velocity dispersion of about 600 and 350 km s-1. An explanation of the fact that D3-43-S3 is detected through weak lensing (only marginally, at the ~3σ level) but not in X-rays could be that the two substructures are just beginning to merge more or less along the line of sight. We also show that D3-6 and D3-43-S3 have similar global galaxy luminosity functions, stellar mass functions, and star formation rate (SFR) distributions. The only differences are that D3-6 exhibits a lack of faint early-type galaxies, a deficit of extremely high stellar mass galaxies compared to D3-43-S3, and an excess of very high SFR galaxies. Conclusions. This study shows the power of techniques based on photometric redshifts to detect low to moderately massive structures, even at z ~ 0.75. Combined-approach cluster surveys such as EUCLID are crucial to find and study these clusters at these relatively high redshifts. Finally, we show that photometric redshift techniques are also well suited to study the galaxy content and properties of the clusters (galaxy types, SFRs, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Constraints on the mass distribution in high-redshift clusters of galaxies are currently not very strong. Aims. We aim to constrain the mass profile, M(r), and dynamical status of the z ~ 0.8 LCDCS 0504 cluster of galaxies that is characterized by prominent giant gravitational arcs near its center. Methods. Our analysis is based on deep X-ray, optical, and infrared imaging as well as optical spectroscopy, collected with various instruments, which we complemented with archival data. We modeled the mass distribution of the cluster with three different mass density profiles, whose parameters were constrained by the strong lensing features of the inner cluster region, by the X-ray emission from the intracluster medium, and by the kinematics of 71 cluster members. Results. We obtain consistent M(r) determinations from three methods based on kinematics (dispersion-kurtosis, caustics, and MAMPOSSt), out to the cluster virial radius, ≃1.3 Mpc and beyond. The mass profile inferred by the strong lensing analysis in the central cluster region is slightly higher than, but still consistent with, the kinematics estimate. On the other hand, the X-ray based M(r) is significantly lower than the kinematics and strong lensing estimates. Theoretical predictions from ΛCDM cosmology for the concentration–mass relation agree with our observational results, when taking into account the uncertainties in the observational and theoretical estimates. There appears to be a central deficit in the intracluster gas mass fraction compared with nearby clusters. Conclusions. Despite the relaxed appearance of this cluster, the determinations of its mass profile by different probes show substantial discrepancies, the origin of which remains to be determined. The extension of a dynamical analysis similar to that of other clusters of the DAFT/FADA survey with multiwavelength data of sufficient quality will allow shedding light on the possible systematics that affect the determination of mass profiles of high-z clusters, which is possibly related to our incomplete understanding of intracluster baryon physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The DAFT/FADA survey is based on the study of ~90 rich (masses found in the literature >2 × 1014 M⊙) and moderately distant clusters (redshifts 0:4 < z < 0:9), all with HST imaging data available. This survey has two main objectives: to constrain dark energy (DE) using weak lensing tomography on galaxy clusters and to build a database (deep multi-band imaging allowing photometric redshift estimates, spectroscopic data, X-ray data) of rich distant clusters to study their properties. Aims. We analyse the structures of all the clusters in the DAFT/FADA survey for which XMM-Newton and/or a sufficient number of galaxy redshifts in the cluster range are available, with the aim of detecting substructures and evidence for merging events. These properties are discussed in the framework of standard cold dark matter (CDM) cosmology. Methods. In X-rays, we analysed the XMM-Newton data available, fit a model, and subtracted it to identify residuals. We used Chandra data, when available, to identify point sources. In the optical, we applied a Serna & Gerbal (SG) analysis to clusters with at least 15 spectroscopic galaxy redshifts available in the cluster range. We discuss the substructure detection efficiencies of both methods. Results. XMM-Newton data were available for 32 clusters, for which we derive the X-ray luminosity and a global X-ray temperature for 25 of them. For 23 clusters we were able to fit the X-ray emissivity with a model and subtract it to detect substructures in the X-ray gas. A dynamical analysis based on the SG method was applied to the clusters having at least 15 spectroscopic galaxy redshifts in the cluster range: 18 X-ray clusters and 11 clusters with no X-ray data. The choice of a minimum number of 15 redshifts implies that only major substructures will be detected. Ten substructures were detected both in X-rays and by the SG method. Most of the substructures detected both in X-rays and with the SG method are probably at their first cluster pericentre approach and are relatively recent infalls. We also find hints of a decreasing X-ray gas density profile core radius with redshift. Conclusions. The percentage of mass included in substructures was found to be roughly constant with redshift values of 5-15%, in agreement both with the general CDM framework and with the results of numerical simulations. Galaxies in substructures show the same general behaviour as regular cluster galaxies; however, in substructures, there is a deficiency of both late type and old stellar population galaxies. Late type galaxies with recent bursts of star formation seem to be missing in the substructures close to the bottom of the host cluster potential well. However, our sample would need to be increased to allow a more robust analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present a catalogue of galaxy groups and clusters selected using a friends-of-friends (FoF) algorithm with a dynamic linking length from the 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO (2SLAQ) luminous red galaxy survey. The linking parameters for the code are chosen through an analysis of simulated 2SLAQ haloes. The resulting catalogue includes 313 clusters containing 1152 galaxies. The galaxy groups and clusters have an average velocity dispersion of km s−1 and an average size of Mpc h−1. Galaxies from regions of 1 deg2 and centred on the galaxy clusters were downloaded from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 6. Investigating the photometric redshifts and cluster red sequence of these galaxies shows that the galaxy clusters detected with the FoF algorithm are reliable out to z∼ 0.6. We estimate masses for the clusters using their velocity dispersions. These mass estimates are shown to be consistent with 2SLAQ mock halo masses. Further analysis of the simulation haloes shows that clipping out low-richness groups with large radii improves the purity of catalogue from 52 to 88 per cent, while retaining a completeness of 94 per cent. Finally, we test the two-point correlation function of our cluster catalogue. We find a best-fitting power-law model, ξ( r) = ( r/ r0)γ, with parameters r0= 24 ± 4 Mpc h−1 and γ=−2.1 ± 0.2, which are in agreement with other low-redshift cluster samples and consistent with a Λ cold dark matter universe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present a detailed strong-lensing, weak-lensing and X-ray analysis of Abell 2744 ( z= 0.308), one of the most actively merging galaxy clusters known. It appears to have unleashed 'dark', 'ghost', 'bullet' and 'stripped' substructures, each ∼1014 M⊙. The phenomenology is complex and will present a challenge for numerical simulations to reproduce. With new, multiband Hubble Space Telescope ( HST) imaging, we identify 34 strongly lensed images of 11 galaxies around the massive Southern 'core'. Combining this with weak-lensing data from HST, VLT and Subaru, we produce the most detailed mass map of this cluster to date. We also perform an independent analysis of archival Chandra X-ray imaging. Our analyses support a recent claim that the Southern core and Northwestern substructure are post-merger and exhibit morphology similar to the Bullet Cluster viewed from an angle. From the separation between X-ray emitting gas and lensing mass in the Southern core, we derive a new and independent constraint on the self-interaction cross-section of dark matter particles σ/ m < 3 ± 1 cm2 g−1. In the Northwestern substructure, the gas, dark matter and galaxy components have become separated by much larger distances. Most curiously, the 'ghost' clump (primarily gas) leads the 'dark' clump (primarily dark matter) by more than 150 kpc. We propose an enhanced 'ram-pressure slingshot' scenario which may have yielded this reversal of components with such a large separation, but needs further confirmation by follow-up observations and numerical simulations. A secondary merger involves a second 'bullet' clump in the North and an extremely 'stripped' clump to the West. The latter appears to exhibit the largest separation between dark matter and X-ray emitting baryons detected to date in our sky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmic shear requires high precision measurement of galaxy shapes in the presence of the observational point spread function (PSF) that smears out the image. The PSF must therefore be known for each galaxy to a high accuracy. However, for several reasons, the PSF is usually wavelength dependent; therefore, the differences between the spectral energy distribution of the observed objects introduce further complexity. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the wavelength dependence of the PSF, focusing on instruments in which the PSF size is dominated by the diffraction limit of the telescope and which use broad-band filters for shape measurement. We first calculate biases on cosmological parameter estimation from cosmic shear when the stellar PSF is used uncorrected. Using realistic galaxy and star spectral energy distributions and populations and a simple three-component circular PSF, we find that the colour dependence must be taken into account for the next generation of telescopes. We then consider two different methods for removing the effect: (i) the use of stars of the same colour as the galaxies and (ii) estimation of the galaxy spectral energy distribution using multiple colours and using a telescope model for the PSF. We find that both of these methods correct the effect to levels below the tolerances required for per cent level measurements of dark energy parameters. Comparison of the two methods favours the template-fitting method because its efficiency is less dependent on galaxy redshift than the broad-band colour method and takes full advantage of deeper photometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study in detail the photometric redshift requirements needed for tomographic weak gravitational lensing in order to measure accurately the dark energy equation of state. In particular, we examine how ground-based photometry can be complemented by space-based near-infrared (near-IR) photometry , e.g. onboard the planned DUNE satellite. Using realistic photometric redshift simulations and an artificial neural network photo- z method we evaluate the figure of merit for the dark energy parameters . We consider a DUNE-like broad optical filter supplemented with ground-based multiband optical data from surveys like the Dark Energy Survey, Pan-STARRS and LSST. We show that the dark energy figure of merit would be improved by a factor of 1.3–1.7 if IR filters are added onboard DUNE. Furthermore we show that with IR data catastrophic photo- z outliers can be removed effectively. There is an interplay between the choice of filters, the magnitude limits and the removal of outliers. We draw attention to the dependence of the results on the galaxy formation scenarios encoded into the mock galaxies, e.g. the galaxy reddening. For example, very deep u-band data could be as effective as the IR. We also find that about spectroscopic redshifts are needed for calibration of the full survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows are the most brilliant transient events in the Universe. Both the bursts themselves and their afterglows have been predicted to be visible out to redshifts of z approximately 20, and therefore to be powerful probes of the early Universe. The burst GRB 000131, at z = 4.50, was hitherto the most distant such event identified. Here we report the discovery of the bright near-infrared afterglow of GRB 050904 (ref. 4). From our measurements of the near-infrared afterglow, and our failure to detect the optical afterglow, we determine the photometric redshift of the burst to be z = 6.39 - 0.12 + 0.11 (refs 5-7). Subsequently, it was measured spectroscopically to be z = 6.29 +/- 0.01, in agreement with our photometric estimate. These results demonstrate that GRBs can be used to trace the star formation, metallicity, and reionization histories of the early Universe.