Related papers: Are dumbbell brightest cluster members signposts t…
We have compiled a sample of 67 nearby ($z$ < 0.15) clusters of galaxies, for which on average more than 150 spectroscopic members are available, and, by applying different methods to detect substructures in their galaxy distribution, we…
The orientations of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their host clusters tend to be aligned, but the mechanism driving this is not clear. To probe the role of cluster mergers in this process, we quantify alignments of 38 BCGs in 22…
A large sample of Abell clusters of galaxies, selected for the likely presence of a dominant galaxy, is used to study the dynamical properties of brightest cluster members (BCMs). From visual inspection of Digitized Sky Survey images…
The absolute magnitude of the brightest galaxy of clusters varies remarkably little and is nearly independent of all other physical properties of the cluster as, e.g., its spatial extension or its richness. The question arises whether the…
We present indications, based on a sample of 303 Abell clusters, for a relation between the dynamical state of clusters and the alignments of galaxy members with their parent cluster major axis orientation as well as with the large scale…
Most clusters and groups of galaxies contain a giant elliptical galaxy in their centres which far outshines and outweighs normal ellipticals. The origin of these brightest cluster galaxies is intimately related to the collapse and formation…
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…
We identified Brightest Cluster Members (BCM) on DSS images of 1083 Abell clusters, derived their individual and host cluster redshifts from literature and determined the BCM ellipticity. Half the BCMs move at a speed higher than 37 % of…
A striking signal of dark matter beyond the standard model is the existence of cores in the centre of galaxy clusters. Recent simulations predict that a Brightest Cluster Galaxy (BCG) inside a cored galaxy cluster will exhibit residual…
We compile two samples of cluster galaxies with complimentary hydrodynamic and N-body analysis using FLASH code to ascertain how their differing populations drive their rotational profiles and to better understand their dynamical histories.…
Optical and X-ray studies have established the prevalence of significant substructure in clusters of galaxies, indicating that clusters are young systems, and that recent major mergers have occurred in many clusters. Numerical simulations…
The mergers of galaxy clusters are the most energetic events in the universe after the Big Bang. With the increased availability of multi-object spectroscopy and X-ray data an ever increasing fraction of local clusters are recognised as…
Clusters of galaxies are merging during the formation of large-scale structures in the Universe. Based on optical survey data, we identify a large sample of pre-mergers of galaxy clusters and merging subclusters in rich clusters. We find…
Using a large N-body cosmological simulation combined with a subgrid treatment of galaxy formation, we study the formation and evolution of the galaxy and cluster population in a comoving volume (100 Mpc)^3 in a LCDM universe. At z = 0, our…
The central dominant galaxies in galaxy clusters constitute the most massive and luminous galaxies in the Universe. Despite this, the formation of these brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and the impact of this on the surrounding cluster…
We explore connections between brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their host clusters. We first construct a HeCS-omnibus cluster sample including 227 galaxy clusters within $0.02 < z < 0.30$; the total number of spectroscopic members…
We report the search for intracluster light in four Abell Type II/III (non-cD) galaxy clusters: Abell 801, 1234, 1553, & 1914. We find on average that these clusters contain $\sim$ 10% of their detected stellar luminosity in a diffuse…
The alignment between brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and host clusters can reveal the mystery of formation and evolution for galaxy clusters. We measure cluster orientations in optical based on the projected distribution of member…
The process of galaxy cluster formation likely leaves an imprint on the properties of its individual member galaxies. Understanding this process is essential for uncovering the evolutionary connections between galaxies and cosmic…
A study of the luminosity function of 36 Abell clusters of galaxies has been carried out using photographic plates obtained with the Palomar 1.2 m Schmidt telescope. The relation between the magnitude M_1 of the brightest cluster member and…