The structure and evolution of a forming galaxy cluster at z = 1.62

TL;DR

This study maps the detailed structure and galaxy composition of a forming galaxy cluster at redshift 1.62, revealing its current state and predicting its evolution into a massive cluster by today.

Contribution

First detailed mapping of a galaxy protocluster at z=1.62 using precise photometric redshifts and analysis of its structure and galaxy types.

Findings

Protocluster contains 6 galaxy groups, with most galaxies between groups.

Red galaxies dominate groups, star-forming galaxies are mostly between groups.

Predicted to evolve into a cluster of 2.7x10^14 solar masses today.

Abstract

We present a comprehensive picture of the Cl0218.3-0510 protocluster at $z=1.623$ across 10 co-moving Mpc. Using filters that tightly bracket the Balmer and 4000 Angstrom breaks of the protocluster galaxies we obtain precise photometric redshifts resulting in a protocluster galaxy sample that is 89+/-5% complete and has a contamination of only 12+/-5%. Both star forming and quiescent protocluster galaxies are located allowing us to map the structure of the forming cluster for the first time. The protocluster contains 6 galaxy groups, the largest of which is the nascent cluster. Only a small minority of the protocluster galaxies are in the nascent cluster (11%) or in the other galaxy groups (22%), as most protocluster galaxies reside between the groups. Unobscured star forming galaxies predominantly reside between the protocluster's groups, whereas red galaxies make up a large fraction of the groups' galactic content, so observing the protocluster through only one of these types of galaxies results in a biased view of the protocluster's structure. The structure of the protocluster reveals how much mass is available for the future growth of the cluster and we use the Millennium Simulation, scaled to a Planck cosmology, to predict that Cl0218.3-0510 will evolve into a 2.7x 10^14 Msun cluster by the present day.