The Cluster Observations and Theory Intersection: Providing selection functions and scaling relations to set constraints on the physics of the accelerating universe.

Project Information

ClOThIlde

Grant agreement ID: 656354

DOI

10.3030/656354

Project closed

EC signature date 20 March 2015

Start date 1 January 2016

End date 31 December 2017

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 173 076,00

EU contribution

€ 173 076,00

Coordinated by

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ClOThIlde (The Cluster Observations and Theory Intersection: Providing selection functions and scaling relations to set constraints on the physics of the accelerating universe.)

Reporting period: 2016-01-01 to 2017-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

We know very little about the Universe we live on. Based on measurements of different probes, we believe that around 68% of the total content of the Universe would be the so-called “Dark Energy”, making the Universe expand. The astronomical community has stablished as one of its priority the unravel and understanding of the Universe, particularly focusing on Dark Energy. Indeed, an enormous percentage of the physical theories lies directly or indirectly on the assumption of a particular kind of cosmological model of the Universe, so the disentangling of the components of the Universe will largely affect the Physical Sciences as we know them today. Furthermore, contributing to grasp a consistent description of the world we live in and even to predict its behaviour is one of the highest achievements we can do as a society.

In order to measure and understand Dark Energy, we need to statistically sample large samples of astronomical objects across time and use them to put constraints on a cosmological model of the Universe. In the next years, three surveys are planned to start mapping a large portion of the sky and collecting data in the optical (J-PAS and LSST) and the Infrared (Euclid). The main objective of our project ClOThIlde is to obtain constraints of the composition of the Universe by using the galaxy clusters detected in these upcoming surveys. This goal requires very high precision statistical measurements and a reliable pipeline needs to be designed. Hence, we aim to provide the necessary input for each step of the pipeline ensuring robust and optimal results for the final constraints for the Dark Energy Cosmological model.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

To accomplish ClOThilde’s ultimate goal, the setting of cosmological constraints using galaxy clusters, we have previously performed different pieces of work to ensure the quality of the results.

(1) We have first designed realistic simulations that mimic with high precision the properties of the galaxies in the optical and IR. To do this, we have used PhotReal, a technique developed with the goal of improving the resemblance of the simulations and the data, and constructed three mock catalogues for the surveys of interest with very accurate representation of their properties.

(2) We have then run the Bayesian Cluster Finder, an algorithm to detect galaxy clusters with high completeness and purity rates, on these simulations. As a result, we have obtained a well-selected sample of galaxy clusters statistically undistinguishable to the ones that we will observe when the data arrives.

(3) After that, we have used these lists of clusters detected on top of the simulations to compute the selection function and the mass-observable relation for each different survey. The selection function has been obtained by mapping the redshift and halo mass space where the detections are reliable, concluding with the description of the clusters that each survey will obtain and their counts. As for the mass-observable relation, we have modelled this relation with a power-law relation with a dependence on redshift for the detections on the simulations and obtained the best fit parameters using regression models.

(4) Finally, we have obtained cosmological constraints using the previous elements for each survey. To do this, we have produced theoretical cluster counts for two different models of the Universe (Dark Energy and Modified Gravity), by introducing the selection function and mass-observable relation and by accounting for both the Poisson noise distribution of the counts and the cosmic variance. Then, we have fit this model by using a Fisher Matrix analysis on one hand and a MCMC approach and finally obtained the cosmological forecast.

Through the whole project, we have used all possible resources to bring the advancement of the project to the scientific community and the general public. Regarding the dissemination of the research for the scientific community, we have published our results in several peer reviewed journals, visited different institutions and presented our work in a diversity of scientific conferences. As far as the dissemination of the research for the general public, we have participated on different outreach activities including writing articles, making presentations, giving introductory courses, discussing with students and the general public, among others. Moreover, a webpage has been created to show the advancement of the project to everyone interested.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The objectives of the project have been well accomplished. The general selection function for Euclid, LSST and J-PAS have been obtained and compared to other next-generation surveys in others wavelengths (eROSITA, ACTpol, SPTpol), evidencing the synergy of the different wavelengths in the future scenario. Furthermore, we have well calibrated the mass-observable relation for these surveys and obtained the same scatter measurements that previous observational measurements but extended to larger mass and redshift ranges. Finally, we have obtained the first cosmological forecast using clusters and future efforts will focus on improve these measurements by combining different measurements in other wavelengths.

In general, the project has exceeded our expectations in many ways. First, we have included the concurrent optical survey (LSST) in the comparison, which was not included in the original plan. Moreover, we have started different collaborations with the X-ray and Weak Lensing community to complement and improve the obtained constraints about the universe and to extent this analysis to other wavelengths. Complementarily, we have applied and Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to obtain constraints on the cluster counts in addition to the already planned Fisher Matrix analysis, enriching largely the quality of our results. Finally, the built pipeline can be easily extrapolated to other academic and industrial sectors (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, etc), expecting a large impact with its application.

Cluster Selection function for Euclid, LSST and J-PAS compared to those obtained in other wavelenght