A luz intra-aglomerado e seus impactos na dinâmica de aglomerados de galáxias

Abstract

The intracluster light (ICL) is defined as a low surface brightness component of galaxy clusters made up of stars that do not belong to any specific galaxy, but are linked to the system’s gravitational potential. Although it is the most unexplored component of galaxy clusters, recent studies have pointed out the crucial role of the ICL in the physical processes that occur in these structures. In this work, we sought to analyze the contribution of ICL to the total luminosity of two clusters of galaxies observed by the Hubble Space Telescope within the Frontier Fields program, Abell 370 and Abell S1063, in order to correlate it with the dynamical stage of these systems. We used an algorithm called CICLE, specially developed to disentangle the ICL from the light of galaxies and measure the ICL fraction. This algorithm is based on the Chebyshev-Fourier functions and Differential Geometry parameters, performing the analysis of the ICL mathematically, without assuming any prior hypothesis about its physical properties or its morphology. The results obtained from the ICL fractions measured are consistent with the dynamical relations found in the literature and suggest that Abell 370 is a merging cluster, whereas Abell S1063 has ambivalent characteristics, indicating that, although it is also a merging system, it may be close to relaxation. Keywords: Intracluster light; Abell 370; Abell S1063; dynamical stage; CICLE.