UNCOVERing the extended strong lensing structures of Abell 2744 with the deepest JWST imaging

Lukas J. Furtak, Adi Zitrin, John R. Weaver, Hakim Atek, Rachel Bezanson, Ivo Labbé, Katherine E. Whitaker, Joel Leja, Sedona H. Price, Gabriel B. Brammer, Bingjie Wang, Danilo Marchesini, Richard Pan, Pratika Dayal, Pieter Van Dokkum, Robert Feldmann, Seiji Fujimoto, Marijn Franx, Gourav Khullar, Erica J. NelsonLamiya A. Mowla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a new parametric lens model for the massive galaxy cluster Abell 2744 based on new ultra-deep JWST imaging taken in the framework of the UNCOVER program. These observations constitute the deepest JWST images of a lensing cluster to date, adding to existing deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images and the recent JWST Early Release Science and Director's Discretionary Time data taken for this field. The wide field of view of UNCOVER (∼45 arcmin2) extends beyond the cluster's well-studied central core and reveals a spectacular wealth of prominent lensed features around two massive cluster sub-structures in the north and north-west, where no multiple images were previously known. We identify 75 new multiple images and candidates of 17 sources, 43 of which allow us, for the first time, to constrain the lensing properties and total mass distribution around these extended cluster structures using strong lensing (SL). Our model yields an effective Einstein radius of θE, main = 23.2 ± 2.3 arcsec for the main cluster core (for zs = 2), enclosing a mass of M(< θE, main) = (7.7 ± 1.1) × 1013 M⊙, and θE, NW = 13.1 ± 1.3 arcsec for the newly discovered north-western SL structure enclosing M(< θE, NW) = (2.2 ± 0.3) × 1013 M⊙. The northern clump is somewhat less massive with θE, N = 7.4 ± 0.7 arcsec enclosing M(< θE, N) = (0.8 ± 0.1) × 1013 M⊙. We find the northern sub-structures of Abell 2744 to broadly agree with the findings from weak lensing analyses and align with the filamentary structure found by these previous studies. Our model in particular reveals a large area of high magnification values between the various cluster structures, which will be paramount for lensed galaxy studies in the UNCOVER field. The model is made publicly available to accompany the first UNCOVER data release.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4568-4582
Number of pages15
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume523
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • dark matter
  • galaxies: clusters: individual: Abell 2744
  • galaxies: haloes
  • gravitational lensing: strong
  • large-scale structure of Universe

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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