A Strong Gravitational Lensing Model of PSZ2 G118.46+39.32

TL;DR

This paper presents the first strong gravitational lensing model of the galaxy cluster PSZ2 G118.46+39.32 using new JWST NIRCam imaging, revealing its mass distribution and merger state.

Contribution

It introduces a novel lensing model for PSZ2 G118.46+39.32 based on JWST data, identifying new lensed galaxies and analyzing the cluster's bimodal, pre-merger structure.

Findings

Model aligns with X-ray gas distribution

Identified new lensed galaxies not visible in HST

Cluster shows bimodal, pre-merger structure

Abstract

We present the first strong gravitational lensing model for the cluster PSZ2 G118.46+39.32 (z = 0.3967) using new NIRCam imaging from the Strong LensIng and Cluster Evolution (SLICE) JWST program. We leverage the broad coverage of the SLICE ultrawide JWST filters to identify new lensed galaxies, some of which are not visible in HST, to model the cluster's mass distribution. The model was constructed with a total of 11 multiply imaged systems, decomposed into 30 images with 60 clumps used as strong lensing constraints. PSZ2 G118.46+39.32 shows a clear bimodal structure, indicating that it may be undergoing a merger. The predicted mass distribution of the model aligns with the X-ray gas in the cluster, suggesting it is in a pre-merger state.