Author ORCID Identifier

Stacy S. McGaugh

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2016

Abstract

We developed a search methodology to identify galaxy protoclusters at z > 2.74 and implemented it on a sample of ∼14,000 galaxies with previously measured redshifts. The results of this search are recorded in the Candidate Cluster and Protocluster Catalog (CCPC). The catalog contains 12 clusters that are highly significant overdensities (δgal > 7), 6 of which were previously known. We also identify another 31 candidate protoclusters (including four previously identified structures) of lower overdensities. CCPC systems vary over a wide range of physical sizes and shapes, from small, compact groups to large, extended, and filamentary collections of galaxies. This variety persists in the range from z = 3.71 to z = 2.74. These structures exist as galaxy overdensities (δgal) with a mean value of 2, similar to the values found for other protoclusters in the literature. The median number of galaxies for CCPC systems is 11. Virial mass estimates are large for these redshifts, with 13 cases apparently having M > 1015 M⊙. If these systems are virialized, such masses would pose a challenge to λCDM.

Keywords

galaxies: clusters: general, galaxies: high-redshift

Language

English

Publication Title

Astrophysical Journal

Rights

© The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. This content is free to access, download, and share. For all other uses, you must obtain permission to reuse content: https://journals.aas.org/article-charges-and-copyright/#AAS_material

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