Hubble Frontier Fields: The Geometry and Dynamics of the Massive Galaxy Cluster Merger MACSJ0416.1-2403

Abstract

We use a joint optical/X-ray analysis to constrain the geometry and history of the ongoing merging event in the massive galaxy cluster MACSJ0416.1-2403 (z=0.397). Our investigation of cluster substructure rests primarily on a combined strong- and weak-lensing mass reconstruction based on the deep, high-resolution images obtained for the Hubble Frontier Fields initiative. To reveal the system's dynamics, we complement this lensing analysis with a study of the intra-cluster gas using shallow Chandra data, and a three-dimensional model of the distribution and motions of cluster galaxies derived from over 100 spectroscopic redshifts. The multi-scale grid model obtained from our combined lensing analysis extends the high-precision strong-lensing mass reconstruction recently performed to cluster-centric distances of almost 1 Mpc. Our analysis detects the two well known mass concentrations in the cluster core. A pronounced offset between collisional and collisionless matter is only observed for the SW cluster component, while excellent alignment is found for the NE cluster. Both the lensing analysis and the distribution of cluster light strongly suggest the presence of a third massive structure, almost 2 arcmin SW of the cluster centre. Since no X-ray emission is detected in this region, we conclude that this structure is non-virialised and speculate that it might be part of a large-scale filament almost aligned with our line of sight. Combining all evidence from the distribution of dark and luminous matter, we propose two alternative scenarios for the trajectories of the components of MACSJ0416.1-2403. Upcoming deep X-ray observations that allow the detection of shock fronts, cold cores, and sloshing gas (all key diagnostics for studies of cluster collisions) will allow us to test, and distinguish between these two scenarios.

Submitted to MNRAS - 17 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables

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Cited by in corpus (18)

• CLASH-VLT: Insights on the mass substructures in the Frontier Fields Cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 through accurate strong lens modeling
• An excess of small-scale gravitational lenses observed in galaxy clusters
• The systematics of strong lens modeling quantified: the effects of constraint selection and redshift information on magnification, mass, and multiple image predictability
• The ALMA Frontier Fields survey I: 1.1 mm continuum detections in Abell 2744, MACSJ0416.1-2403 and MACSJ1149.5+2223
• CoMaLit III. Literature Catalogs of weak Lensing Clusters of galaxies (LC^2)
• The Distribution of Ultra-Diffuse and Ultra-Compact Galaxies in the Frontier Fields
• Sizes of Lensed Lower-luminosity z=4-8 Galaxies from the Hubble Frontier Field Program
• The unrelaxed dynamical structure of the galaxy cluster Abell 85
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• hybrid-Lenstool: A self-consistent algorithm to model galaxy clusters with strong- and weak-lensing simultaneously
• The distribution of dark matter and gas spanning six megaparsecs around the post-merger galaxy cluster MS0451-03
• Prospects for observing strongly lensed supernovae behind Hubble Frontier Fields galaxy clusters with the James Webb Space Telescope
• The Orthogonally Aligned Dark Halo of an Edge-on Lensing Galaxy in the Hubble Frontier Fields: A Challenge for Modified Gravity
• Scatter in the satellite galaxy SHMR: fitting functions, scaling relations & physical processes from the IllustrisTNG simulation
• Locations and Morphologies of Jellyfish Galaxies in A2744 and A370
• The Hawaii SCUBA-2 Lensing Cluster Survey: Are Low-luminosity Submillimeter Galaxies Detected in the Rest-frame UV?
• Mapping dark matter and finding filaments: calibration of lensing analysis techniques on simulated data
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