Abstract
We identify 13 sets of multiply-lensed galaxies around MACS J0717.5+3745 (z = 0.546), outlining a very large tangential critical curve of major axis ∼2′8, filling the field of the Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys. The equivalent circular Einstein radius is θe = 55″± 3″ (at an estimated source redshift of zs ∼ 2.5), corresponding to re ≃ 350 ±20 kpc at the cluster redshift, nearly three times greater than that of A1689 (re ≃ 140 kpc for zs = 2.5). The mass enclosed by this critical curve is very large, 7.4± 0.5 × 1014 M ⊙ and only weakly model dependent, with a relatively shallow mass profile within r < 250 kpc, reflecting the unrelaxed appearance of this cluster. This shallow profile generates a much higher level of magnification than the well-known relaxed lensing clusters of higher concentration, so that the area of sky exceeding a magnification of >10 times, is ≃3.5□′ for sources with z ≃ 8, making MACS J0717.5+3745 a compelling target for accessing faint objects at high redshift. We calculate that only one such cluster, with θe ≥ 55″, is predicted within 10 7 Universes with z ≥ 0.55, corresponding to a virial mass ≥3 × 1015 M ⊙, for the standard ΛCDM (WMAP5 parameters with 2σ uncertainties).
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | L102-L106 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 707 |
Issue number | 1 PART 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Dark matter
- Gravitational lensing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science