Motion of the Local Group as a cosmological probe
Doctoral thesis written under the supervision of prof. Michal Chodorowski, defended on March 30, 2012, at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
In this thesis, we use the motion of the Local Group of galaxies (LG) through the Universe to measure the cosmological... more In this thesis, we use the motion of the Local Group of galaxies (LG) through the Universe to measure the cosmological parameter of non-relativistic matter density, Omega_m. For that purpose, we compare the peculiar velocity of the LG with its gravitational acceleration. The former is known from the dipole of the cosmic microwave background radiation and the latter is estimated here from the clustering dipole of galaxies in the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) Extended Source Catalog. We start by presenting the general framework of perturbation theory of gravitational instability in the expanding Universe and how it applies to the peculiar motion of the LG. Next, we study a particular effect for the dipole measurement, related to the fact that a nearby Local Void is partially hidden behind our Galaxy. We then describe in detail how we handled the 2MASS extragalactic data for the purpose of our analysis. Finally, we present two methods to estimate the density Omega_m, combined with the linear biasing b into the parameter beta = (Omega_m)^{0.55} / b, from the comparison of the LG velocity and acceleration. The first approach is to study the growth of the 2MASS clustering dipole with increased depth of the sample and compare it with theoretical expectations. The second is to apply the maximum-likelihood method in order to improve the precision of the measurement. With both these methods we find beta=0.4 and Omega_m=0.2, which is consistent with various independent estimates. We also briefly mention some future prospects in the field.
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Download (.pdf) In the whirlpool's coils: tracing substructure from combined optical/X-ray data in the galaxy cluster A1300
F. Ziparo, F.G. Braglia, D. Pierini, A. Finoguenov, H. Boehringer, A. Bongiorno
Structure formation is thought to act via hierarchical mergers and accretion of smaller systems driven by gravity with... more Structure formation is thought to act via hierarchical mergers and accretion of smaller systems driven by gravity with dark matter dominating the gravitational field. Combining X-ray and optical imaging and spectroscopy provides a powerful approach to the study of the cluster dynamics and mass assembly history. The REFLEX-DXL sample contains the most X-ray luminous galaxy clusters (L_X > 10^45 erg/s) from the REFLEX survey at z = 0.27-0.31. We present the photometric (WFI) and spectroscopic (VIMOS) data for the DXL cluster RXCJ1131.9-1955 (Abell 1300); in combination with the existing X-ray data we determine and characterise the substructure of this post-merging system. We analyse X-ray selected groups in a 30' x 30' region encompassing the cluster in order to study the mass assembly of A1300. The X-ray surface brightness map of A1300 appears disturbed and exhibits the signature of a forward shock, which is consistent with a previous analysis of radio data. Moreover, we detect a large scale-filament in which the cluster is embedded and several infalling groups. Comparison of the whirlpool-like features in the entropy pseudo-map of the intra-cluster medium with the distribution of the cluster members reveals a direct correspondence between the ICM structure and the galaxy distribution. Moreover, comparison with existing simulations allows us to better understand the dynamics of the cluster progenitors and to age date their impact. A1300 is a complex massive system in which a major merging occurred about 3 Gyr ago and additional minor merging events happen at different times via filaments, that will lead to an increase of the cluster mass of up to 60% in the next Gyr.
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Redshift and distances in a ΛCDM cosmology with non-linear inhomogeneities
Co-authored with Marco Bruni, published in MNRAS
Is the Two Micron All Sky Survey clustering dipole convergent?
The Astrophysical Journal 741 (2011) 31.
Co-authors: Michał Chodorowski, Thomas Jarrett, Gary A. Mamon.
There is a long-standing controversy about the convergence of the dipole moment of the galaxy angular distribution... more There is a long-standing controversy about the convergence of the dipole moment of the galaxy angular distribution (the so-called clustering dipole). We study the growth of the clustering dipole of galaxies as a function of the limiting flux of the sample from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). Contrary to some earlier claims, we find that the dipole does not converge before the completeness limit of the 2MASS Extended Source Catalog, i.e. up to 13.5 mag in the near-infrared K_s band (equivalent to an effective distance of 300 Mpc/h). We compare the observed growth of the dipole with the theoretically expected, conditional one (i.e., given the velocity of the Local Group relative to the CMB), for the LambdaCDM power spectrum and cosmological parameters constrained by WMAP. The observed growth turns out to be within 1-sigma confidence level of its theoretical counterpart once the proper observational window of the 2MASS flux-limited catalog is included. For a contrast, if the adopted window is a top-hat, then the predicted dipole grows significantly faster and converges to its final value for a distance of about 300 Mpc/h. By comparing the observational windows, we show that for a given flux limit and a corresponding distance limit, the 2MASS flux-weighted window passes less large-scale signal than the top-hat one. We conclude that the growth of the 2MASS dipole for effective distances greater than 200 Mpc/h is only apparent. On the other hand, for a distance of 80 Mpc/h (mean depth of the 2MASS Redshift Survey) and the LambdaCDM power spectrum, the true dipole is expected to reach only ~80% of its final value. Eventually, since for the window function of 2MASS the predicted growth is consistent with the observed one, we can compare the two to evaluate beta = (Omega_m)^0.55 / b. The result is beta = 0.38+-0.04, which leads to an estimate of the density parameter Omega_m = 0.20+-0.08.
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Influence of the Local Void on Measurements of the Clustering Dipole
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 406, Issue 2, pp. 1358-1363.
Co-author: Michał Chodorowski.
In measurements of the clustering dipole from all-sky surveys, an important problem is the lack of information about... more In measurements of the clustering dipole from all-sky surveys, an important problem is the lack of information about galaxy distribution in the so-called Zone of Avoidance (ZoA). The existence of the Local Void (LV) has a systematic effect on these measurements. If the ZoA is randomly filled with mock galaxies, then the calculated acceleration of the Local Group of galaxies (LG) has a spurious component, resulting from the lack of real galaxies in the intersection of the LV with the ZoA. This component affects both the misalignment angle between the clustering dipole and the CMB dipole, and the inferred value of mean matter density Omega_m. We calculate the amplitude of the spurious acceleration acting on the LG due to the LV. Its value depends on the geometry and size of the LV, as well as on its density contrast. However, under the simplest assumption of the LV being spherical and completely empty, within the linear theory this amplitude amounts only to about 45 km/s in units of velocity. The resulting change in the misalignment angle is smaller than 1 degree, and the fractional change in the deduced value of Omega_m is about 5%. Accounting for observationally indicated elongation of the LV and maintaining the maximising assumption of a complete lack of galaxies inside increases these numbers only moderately. Specifically, the amplitude of the spurious acceleration rises to about 60 km/s, the misalignment angle remains still smaller than 1 degree, and the fractional change in the deduced value of Omega_m is enhanced to about 7%. Thus, despite the overall importance of the Local Void for the motion of the Local Group, the influence of the intersection of the LV with the ZoA on measurements of the clustering dipole is found to be only a minor systematic effect.
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Differential Density Statistics of the Galaxy Distribution and the Luminosity Function
Co-authored with V.V.L. Albani, A. Iribarrem and W.R. Stoeger
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 657 (2007) 760-772
This paper uses data obtained from the galaxy luminosity function (LF) to calculate two types of radial number... more This paper uses data obtained from the galaxy luminosity function (LF) to calculate two types of radial number densities statistics of the galaxy distribution as discussed in Ribeiro (2005), namely the differential density $\gamma$ and the integral differential density $\gamma^\ast$. By applying the theory advanced by Ribeiro and Stoeger (2003), which connects the relativistic cosmology number counts with the astronomically derived LF, the differential number counts $dN/dz$ are extracted from the LF and used to calculate both $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ with various cosmological distance definitions, namely the area distance, luminosity distance, galaxy area distance and redshift distance. LF data are taken from the CNOC2 galaxy redshift survey and $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ are calculated for two cosmological models: Einstein-de Sitter and an $\Omega_{m_0}=0.3$, $\Omega_{\Lambda_0}=0.7$ standard cosmology. The results confirm the strong dependency of both statistics on the distance definition, as predicted in Ribeiro (2005), as well as showing that plots of $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ against the luminosity and redshift distances indicate that the CNOC2 galaxy distribution follows a power law pattern for redshifts higher than 0.1. These findings bring support to Ribeiro's (2005) theoretical proposition that using different cosmological distance measures in statistical analyses of galaxy surveys can lead to significant ambiguity in drawing conclusions about the behavior of the observed large scale distribution of galaxies.
Fractals and the Distribution of Galaxies
Co-authored with A.Y. Miguelote
Published in Brazilian Journal of Physics 28 (1998) 132-160
This paper presents a review of the fractal approach for describing the large scale distribution of galaxies. We start... more This paper presents a review of the fractal approach for describing the large scale distribution of galaxies. We start by presenting a brief, but general, introduction to fractals, which emphasizes their empirical side and applications rather than their mathematical side. Then we discuss the standard correlation function analysis of galaxy catalogues and many observational facts that brought increasing doubts about the reliability of this method, paying special attention to the standard analysis implicit assumption of an eventual homogeneity of the distribution of galaxies. Some new statistical concepts for analysing this distribution is presented, and without the implicit assumption of homogeneity they bring support to the hypothesis that the distribution of galaxies does form a fractal system. The Pietronero-Wertz's single fractal (hierarchical) model is presented and discussed, together with the implications of this new approach for understanding galaxy clustering.
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Seen by: Star Formation In Satellite Galaxies
Co-authored with J.G. Funes SJ, C.M. Gutierrez, F. Prada and M. Azzaro
Published in "Satellites and Tidal Streams": F. Prada, D. M. Delgado & T. J. Mahoney (eds.), ISBN 1-58381-190-7, Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, vol. 327, (San Francisco: ASP), 272-275, (2004)
The study of satellite galaxies can provide information on the merging and aggregation processes which, according to... more The study of satellite galaxies can provide information on the merging and aggregation processes which, according to the hierarchical clustering models, form the larger spiral galaxies we observe. With the aim of testing hierarchical models of galaxy formation, we have conducted an observational program which comprises H$\alpha$ imaging for both the parent and the satellite galaxies, taken from the compilation by Zaritsky et al. (1997) that contains 115 galaxies orbiting 69 primary isolated spiral galaxies. We have observed a subsample of 37 spiral and irregular galaxies taken from the compilation mentioned above. The aim of this study is to determine star formation properties of the sample galaxies. In this work we present the preliminary results of this program that we have carried out with the 1.8-m Vatican Telescope (VATT).
Relativistic Fractal Cosmologies
Published in "Deterministic Chaos in General Relativity"; D.W. Hobill, A. Burd & A. Coley (eds); ISBN 0-306-44811-4, (New York: Plenum Press), 269-296, (1994).
Conference paper published in 1994. The arXiv version, uploaded in 2009, had the original text and formatting preserved, but includes 3 very brief notes and 8 references, added to point out relevant follow-up literature produced between 1995 and 2008. These 3 additional notes were written in different fonts so that a reader will clearly see them apart, avoiding confusion with the original text.
This article reviews an approach for constructing a simple relativistic fractal cosmology whose main aim is to model... more This article reviews an approach for constructing a simple relativistic fractal cosmology whose main aim is to model the observed inhomogeneities of the distribution of galaxies by means of the Lemaitre-Tolman solution of Einstein's field equations for spherically symmetric dust in comoving coordinates. This model is based on earlier works developed by L. Pietronero and J.R. Wertz on Newtonian cosmology, whose main points are discussed. Observational relations in this spacetime are presented, together with a strategy for finding numerical solutions which approximate an averaged and smoothed out single fractal structure in the past light cone. Such fractal solutions are shown, with one of them being in agreement with some basic observational constraints, including the decay of the average density with the distance as a power law (the de Vaucouleurs' density power law) and the fractal dimension in the range 1 <= D <= 2. The spatially homogeneous Friedmann model is discussed as a special case of the Lemaitre-Tolman solution, and it is found that once we apply the observational relations developed for the fractal model we find that all Friedmann models look inhomogeneous along the backward null cone, with a departure from the observable homogeneous region at relatively close ranges. It is also shown that with these same observational relations the Einstein-de Sitter model can have an interpretation where it has zero global density, a result consistent with the "zero global density postulate" advanced by Wertz for hierarchical cosmologies and conjectured by Pietronero for fractal cosmological models. The article ends with a brief discussion on the possible link between this model and nonlinear and chaotic dynamics.
Cosmological Distances and Fractal Statistics of Galaxy Distribution
Published in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 429 (2005) 65-74
This paper studies the effect of the distance choice in radial (non-average) statistical tools used for fractal... more This paper studies the effect of the distance choice in radial (non-average) statistical tools used for fractal characterization of galaxy distribution. After reviewing the basics of measuring distances of cosmological sources, various distance definitions are used to calculate the differential density $\gamma$ and the integral differential density $\gamma^\ast$} of the dust distribution in the Einstein-de Sitter cosmology. The main results are as follows: (1) the choice of distance plays a crucial role in determining the scale where relativistic corrections must be taken into account, as both $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ are strongly affected by such a choice; (2) inappropriate distance choices may lead to failure to find evidence of a galaxy fractal structure when one calculates those quantities, even if such a structure does occur in the galaxy distribution; (3) the comoving distance and the distance given by Mattig's formula are unsuitable to probe for a possible fractal pattern as they render $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ constant for all redshifts; (4) a possible galaxy fractal system at scales larger than 100Mpc (z \~ 0.03) may only be found if those statistics are calculated with the luminosity or redshift distances, as they are the ones where $\gamma$ and $\gamma^\ast$ decrease at higher redshifts; (5) C\'el\'erier and Thieberger's (2001) critique of Ribeiro's (1995: astro-ph/9910145) earlier study are rendered impaired as their objections were based on misconceptions regarding relativistic distance definitions.
Observations In the Einstein-de Sitter Cosmology: Dust Statistics and Limits of Apparent Homogeneity
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 441 (1995) 477-487
The two-point correlation function for the dust distribution in the unperturbed Einstein-de Sitter cosmological model... more The two-point correlation function for the dust distribution in the unperturbed Einstein-de Sitter cosmological model is studied along the past light cone. It was found that this function seems unable to represent the theoretical distribution of dust along the backward null cone of this unperturbed model, which has already been determined in a previous paper as being apparently inhomogeneous at ranges usually considered as local. Such result was revisited in order to determine more precisely the quantitative limits where, in theory, we can detect apparent homogeneity, and it was found that this may only happen up to $z \sim 10^{-2}$. A different statistical analysis proposed by Pietronero is used, and it appears to be able to represent more accurately the theoretical distribution of dust in this cosmology. In the light of these results, it is argued that the usual practice of disregarding relativistic effects in studies of distribution of galaxies, by considering them as being placed on local regions, seems to be valid only on much closer scales than it is commonly believed. In the Einstein-de Sitter cosmology with $H_0=75 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}$, that may only happen in redshifts as low as $z \approx 0.04$, which means that the local approximation seems to be valid up to zeroth order of approximation only. As at present there are many redshift surveys which have already probed at deeper ranges, it seems that in order to compare the Friedmann models with observations we have to be very careful when ignoring the past light cone problem in observational cosmology, either in theoretical calculations or in data analysis, due to relativistic effects which produce observable inhomogeneity even in spatially homogeneous cosmological models.
Limited Frequency Range Observations of Cosmological Point Sources
Published in The Observatory 122 (2002) 201-210
This paper advances a general proposal for testing non-standard cosmological models by means of observational... more This paper advances a general proposal for testing non-standard cosmological models by means of observational relations of cosmological point sources in some specific waveband, and their use in the context of the data provided by the galaxy redshift surveys, but for any cosmological metric. By starting from the general theory for observations in relativistic cosmology the equations for colour, K-correction, and number counts of cosmological point sources are discussed in the context of curved spacetimes. The number counts equation is also written in terms of the selection and luminosity functions, which provides a relativistic generalization of its Euclidean version. Since these observables were not derived in the framework of any specific cosmology, they are valid for any cosmological model. The hypotheses used in such derivation are reviewed, together with some difficulties for the practical use of those observables.
On Modeling a Relativistic Hierarchical (Fractal) Cosmology by Tolman's Spacetime. III Numerical Results
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 415 (1993) 469-485
This paper presents numerical solutions of particular Lemaitre-Tolman models approximating a fractal behaviour along... more This paper presents numerical solutions of particular Lemaitre-Tolman models approximating a fractal behaviour along the past light cone, as discussed in paper I (0807.0866) of this series. The initial conditions of the numerical problem are discussed and the algorithm used to carry out the numerical integrations is presented. It was found that the numerical solutions are stiff across the flat-curved interface necessary to obtain the initial conditions of the problem. The spatially homogeneous Friedmann models are treated as special cases of the Lemaitre-Tolman solution and solved numerically. Extending the results of paper II (0807.0869) on the Einstein-de Sitter model, to the $K = \pm 1$ models, it was found that the open and closed Friedmann models also do not appear to remain homogeneous along the backward null cone, with a vanishing volume (average) density as one approaches the Big Bang singularity hypersurface. Fractal solutions, that is, solutions representing an averaged and smoothed-out single fractal, were obtained in all three classes of the Lemaitre-Tolman metric, but only the hyperbolic ones were found to be in agreement with observations, meaning that a possible Friedmann background universe would have to be an open one. The best fractal metric obtained through numerical simulations is also analysed in terms of evolution, homothetic self-similarity, comparison with the respective spatially homogeneous case and the fitting problem in cosmology. The paper finishes with a discussion on some objections raised by some authors against a fractal cosmology.
Relativistic Cosmology Number Counts and the Luminosity Function
Co-authored with W.R. Stoeger
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 592 (2003) 1-16
This paper aims to connect the theory of relativistic cosmology number counts with the astronomical data, practice,... more This paper aims to connect the theory of relativistic cosmology number counts with the astronomical data, practice, and theory behind the galaxy luminosity function (LF). We treat galaxies as the building blocks of the Universe, but ignore most aspects of their internal structures by considering them as point sources. However, we do consider general morphological types in order to use data from galaxy redshift surveys, where some kind of morphological classification is adopted. We start with a general relativistic treatment for a general spacetime, and then link the derived expressions with the LF definition adopted in observational cosmology. Then equations for differential number counts, the related relativistic density per source, and observed and total relativistic energy densities of the universe, and other related quantities are written in terms of the luminosity and selection functions. As an example of how these theoretical/observational relationships can be used, we apply them to test the LF parameters determined from the CNOC2 galaxy redshift survey, for consistency with the Einstein-de Sitter (EdS) cosmology, which they assume, for intermediate redshifts. We conclude that there is a general consistency for the tests we carried out, namely both the observed relativistic mass-energy density, and the observed relativistic mass-energy density per source, which is equivalent to differential number counts, in an EdS Universe. In addition, we find clear evidence of a large amount of hidden mass, as has been obvious from many earlier investigations. At the same time, we find that the CNOC2 LF give differential galaxy counts somewhat above the EdS predictions, indicating that this survey observes more galaxies at 0.1 < z < 0.4 than the model's predictions.
On Modelling a Relativistic Hierarchical (Fractal) Cosmology by Tolman's Spacetime. I. Theory
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 388 (1992) 1-8
This work examines a relativistic model for the observed inhomogeneities of the large scale structure where the... more This work examines a relativistic model for the observed inhomogeneities of the large scale structure where the hypothesis that this structure can be described as being a self-similar fractal system is advanced. The concept of hierarchical clustering is identified with a fractal distribution and the problems raised by the use of fractal ideas in a relativistic model are discussed, as well as their relations to the Copernican and Cosmological Principles. Voids, clusters and superclusters of galaxies are assumed to be part of a smoothed-out fractal structure described by a Lemaitre-Tolman solution. The basic concepts of the Newtonian model presented by Pietronero (1987) are reinterpreted and applied to this inhomogeneous curved spacetime. This fractal system is also assumed to have a crossover to homogeneity which leads to a "Swiss cheese" type model, composed by an interior Lemaitre-Tolman metric and an exterior dust Friedmann solution. The Darmois junction conditions between the two spacetimes are calculated, and the observational relations necessary to compare the model with observations are obtained for the interior region. The differential equations of the interior spacetime are set up and a numerical strategy is devised for finding particular Tolman solutions representing a fractal behaviour along the past light cone.
Testing the Distance-Duality Relation with Galaxy Clusters and Supernovae Ia
Co-authored with R.F.L. Holanda & J.A.S. Lima
Published in The Astrophysical Journal 722 (2010) L233-L237
In this Letter, we propose a newand model-independent cosmological test for the distance–duality (DD) relation, η =... more In this Letter, we propose a newand model-independent cosmological test for the distance–duality (DD) relation, η = DL(z)(1 + z)−2/DA(z) = 1, where DL and DA are, respectively, the luminosity and angular diameter distances. For DL we consider two sub-samples of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) taken from Constitution data whereas DA distances are provided by two samples of galaxy clusters compiled by De Filippis et al. and Bonamente et al. by combining Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect and X-ray surface brightness. The SNe Ia redshifts of each sub-sample were carefully chosen to coincide with the ones of the associated galaxy cluster sample (Δz < 0.005), thereby allowing a direct test of the DD relation. Since for very low redshifts, DA(z) ~ DL(z), we have tested the DD relation by assuming that η is a function of the redshift parameterized by two different expressions: η(z) = 1 + η0z and η(z) = 1 + η0z/(1 + z), where η0 is a constant parameter quantifying a possible departure from the strict validity of the reciprocity relation (η0 = 0). In the best scenario (linear parameterization), we obtain η0 = −0.28+/−0.44 (2σ, statistical + systematic errors) for the De Filippis et al. sample (elliptical geometry), a result only marginally compatible with the DD relation. However, for the Bonamente et al. sample (spherical geometry) the constraint is η0 =−0.42+/−0.34 (3σ, statistical + systematic errors), which is clearly incompatible with the duality–distance relation.
Cosmological Models and the Brightness Profile of Distant Galaxies
Co-authored with I. Olivares-Salaverri
Published in Mem. S.A. It. 80: 925-928, 2009
The aim of this project is to determine the consistency of an assumed cosmological model by means of a detailed... more The aim of this project is to determine the consistency of an assumed cosmological model by means of a detailed analysis of the brightness profiles of distant galaxies.Starting from the theory developed by Ellis and Perry (1979) connecting the angular diameter distance obtained from a relativistic cosmological model and the detailed photometry of galaxies, we assume the presently most accepted cosmological model with non-zero cosmological constant and attempt to predict the brightness profiles of galaxies of a given redshift. Then this theoretical profile can be compared to observational data already available for distant, that is, high redshift, galaxies. By comparing these two curves we may reach conclusions about the observational feasibility of the underlying cosmological model.