Mapping the Universe: The 2010 Russell Lecture

TL;DR

Redshift surveys are crucial in cosmology for mapping mass and light distribution, identifying large structures, and understanding the universe's evolution, exemplified by the upcoming HectoMAP project.

Contribution

The paper highlights the significance of redshift surveys in mapping cosmic structures and introduces the HectoMAP project as a new deep survey with extensive coverage.

Findings

Redshift surveys effectively map mass distribution in cluster infall regions.

Deep surveys like HectoMAP identify large structures such as Great Walls.

Spectroscopy is vital for understanding cosmic structure and evolution.

Abstract

Redshift surveys are a powerful tool of modern cosmology. We discuss two aspects of their power to map the distribution of mass and light in the universe: (1) measuring the mass distribution extending into the infall regions of rich clusters and (2) applying deep redshift surveys to the selection of clusters of galaxies and to the identification of very large structures (Great Walls). We preview the HectoMAP project, a redshift survey with median redshift z = 0.34 covering 50 square degrees to r= 21. We emphasize the importance and power of spectroscopy for exploring and understanding the nature and evolution of structure in the universe.