Evolution of clusters of galaxies

Mar 25, 1991
22 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 383 (1991) 104
Report number:
  • CITA-91-5

Citations per year

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Abstract: (ADS)
The predictions of the formula developed by Press and Schechter (1974) for the evolution of the cluster temperature function (TF) are reviewed and compared with the new empirical TFs. These models predict very rapid negative evolution, in conflict with the clusters investigated by Gunn (1990). Self-similar models are applied to the new determination of the temperature and luminosity functions. For a spectral index greater than approximately -1, the evolution of the TF is found to be acceptable, but the evolution of the LF is in the opposite sense from that observed. A simple 'preheated intergalactic medium' model for X-ray cluster formation is introduced. It is shown that this model accounts quite well for the observed correlations of gross properties of clusters. This is applied to make concrete predictions for the evolution of the LF.