A Multi-Wavelength Mass Analysis of RCS2 J232727.6-020437, a ~3x10$^{15}$M$_{\odot}$ Galaxy Cluster at z=0.7

TL;DR

This study combines multiple observational techniques to estimate the mass of a distant, massive galaxy cluster at z=0.7, confirming its status as one of the most massive clusters known at that epoch.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multi-wavelength analysis of a high-redshift galaxy cluster, demonstrating consistency among different mass proxies and insights into its relaxed state.

Findings

Mass of the cluster is approximately 3 x 10^15 solar masses.

All mass proxies are consistent within uncertainties.

The cluster appears to be well relaxed with no significant substructure.

Abstract

We present an initial study of the mass and evolutionary state of a massive and distant cluster, RCS2 J232727.6-020437. This cluster, at z=0.6986, is the richest cluster discovered in the RCS2 project. The mass measurements presented in this paper are derived from all possible mass proxies: X-ray measurements, weak-lensing shear, strong lensing, Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect decrement, the velocity distribution of cluster member galaxies, and galaxy richness. While each of these observables probe the mass of the cluster at a different radius, they all indicate that RCS2 J232727.6-020437 is among the most massive clusters at this redshift, with an estimated mass of M_200 ~3 x10^15 h^-1 Msun. In this paper, we demonstrate that the various observables are all reasonably consistent with each other to within their uncertainties. RCS2 J232727.6-020437 appears to be well relaxed -- with circular and concentric X-ray isophotes, with a cool core, and no indication of significant substructure in extensive galaxy velocity data.