GBT19B-095

MUSTANG2 SZ study of the filamentary structure between cluster pair A401-A399

Abstract

Using the SZ-effect, we plan to map the inter-cluster region between galaxy clusters Abell401 and Abell399, which has already been observed at low-angular resolution by the Planck satellite. This could lead to the first direct detection of a filamentary structure between galaxy clusters and thus shed light on the open problem of the missing baryons in our Universe as well as on the hierarchical structure formation scenario. The A401-A399 cluster pair is a well-studied structure that exhibits double radio-halos, an excess of X-ray emission in the bridge connecting the clusters, and even the presence of a shock front indicating the cluster pair's pre-merging status. The Planck satellite was able to model the emission from the bridge between the clusters pair despite the poor angular resolution (~5') of its SZ maps, and proposed that at least part of the signal in the inter-cluster region (y~5x10^-6 over a total of y~15x10^-6) is due to a pre-existing filamentary structure. MUSTANG2 at GBT has the ideal angular resolution and sensitivity to disentangle different scenarios. Daisy scanning a circular area of 2'.5 radius down to a sensitivity of y~3.5x10^-6/beam could potentially yield the first direct detection of a filamentary structure between two galaxy clusters.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Elia Battistelli *	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Tony Mroczkowski	European Southern Observatory; Institut de Ciències de l'Espai
Brian Mason	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Simon Dicker	Pennsylvania, University of
Charles Romero	Pennsylvania, University of; Virginia, University of; Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
IAN LOWE	Arizona, University of; Pennsylvania, University of
Federico Radiconi	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Matteo Murgia	Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
Luca Lamagna	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Masi Silvia	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Paolo de Bernardis	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Francesco Piacentini	Roma La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di
Adam Hincks	Toronto, University of
Federica Govoni	Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
Franco Vazza	Hamburg, Universität
Valentina Vacca	Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
Annalisa Bonafede	Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; Bologna, Universita degli Studi di; Hamburg, Universität
Tanay Bhandarkar	Pennsylvania, University of
Mark Devlin	Pennsylvania, University of

* indicates the PI