Scaling relations for galaxy clusters: properties and evolution

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding galaxy cluster scaling relations, emphasizing observational measurements, physical processes, and deviations from self-similarity, crucial for cosmology and cluster physics.

Contribution

It synthesizes recent observational and simulation-based progress in scaling relations, highlighting new insights into physical processes and deviations from self-similarity.

Findings

Expanded mass range to galaxy groups with improved X-ray data

SZ surveys provide new observational insights

Progress in simulations enhances understanding of physical processes

Abstract

Well-calibrated scaling relations between the observable properties and the total masses of clusters of galaxies are important for understanding the physical processes that give rise to these relations. They are also a critical ingredient for studies that aim to constrain cosmological parameters using galaxy clusters. For this reason much effort has been spent during the last decade to better understand and interpret relations of the properties of the intra-cluster medium. Improved X-ray data have expanded the mass range down to galaxy groups, whereas SZ surveys have openened a new observational window on the intracluster medium. In addition,continued progress in the performance of cosmological simulations has allowed a better understanding of the physical processes and selection effects affecting the observed scaling relations. Here we review the recent literature on various scaling relations, focussing on the latest observational measurements and the progress in our understanding of the deviations from self similarity.