***********************************************************
OATS-DAUT SEMINAR
***********************************************************
Speaker: Gabriel Pratt (CEA, Saclay, F)

Title: Structure, scaling and statistical properties of galaxy clusters

Date: Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Time: 12:00
Venue: Villa Bazzoni

***********************************************************
Abstract: I will present highlights of the insights into galaxy cluster structure and scaling that have been made possible by XMM. I will address the use of pressure and mass profiles to probe the underlying dark matter distribution, and measurements of the entropy as a probe of the thermodynamics of the intracluster medium, with an initial focus on morphologically regular systems. However, a key element of recent progress is the use of representative samples of galaxy clusters. I will present results based on the Representative XMM-Newton Cluster Structure Survey (REXCESS), an XMM-Newton Large Programme in which a total of 33 luminosity-selected nearby (z < 0.2) galaxy clusters have been observed. I will discuss insights into the influence of dynamical state on the structural and scaling properties that have been afforded by the sample. I will further describe the expected long-term scientific outcomes of the project, including its combination with a similarly-selected sample of medium distant clusters to probe evolution effects.
***********************************************************
contact: Joana Santos (OATS)