The Baryon Distribution in Galaxy Clusters and Groups; A New Look with the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Array

这个项目将首次测量Sunyaev-Zel‘dovich效应(SZE)的标度关系，使用丰富的星系团和星系群的样本来解决结构形成中的一个长期存在的问题。观测表明，超新星或活动星系核的加热和气体冷却对星系团和星系团的形成具有重要意义。SZE是探测高红移低密度天体的一种独特方式，是对X射线光度观测的补充。这是一项新的、令人兴奋的科学，来自一项适度的研究工作，利用了对即将完成的干涉望远镜阵列--Sunyaev-Zel‘dovich阵列(SZA)的现有投资。测量到中心SZE衰减量和总积分衰减量的两个星系团样品将限制X射线光度与重子耗尽或气体熵增加的联系。了解星团可观测性和星团质量之间的关系对于将星团用作宇宙学探索是非常有价值的。这个项目主要支持一名已经参与SZA建设和部署的研究生从事相关的论文工作，并继续大学实验室与当地一名高中教师和她的学生之间建立的关系。

AST-0507545MillerThis project will make the first measurement of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect (SZE) scaling relations, using a sample of both rich clusters and groups of galaxies to progress toward a resolution of a long-standing problem in structure formation. Observations suggest that supernova or AGN heating and gas cooling are significant for the formation of clusters and groups of galaxies. The SZE is a unique way to probe high-redshift low-density objects, complementary to observations of the X-ray luminosity. This is new and exciting science, from a modest research effort leveraged on existing investment in a nearly-completed interferometric array of telescopes, the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Array (SZA). Two cluster samples with measured central SZE decrement and total integrated decrement will constrain the linkage of X-ray luminosity to baryon depletion or to increased gas entropy. Understanding the relationship between cluster observables and cluster mass is invaluable for using clusters as cosmological probes.This project primarily supports a graduate student, already involved in construction and deployment of the SZA, to pursue related thesis work and to continue an established relationship between the university laboratory and a local high school teacher and her students.