By: Renzhi Su, Stephen J. Curran, Francoise Combes, Neeraj Gupta, Sebastien Muller, Di Li, Minfeng Gu
The study of the redshifted spectral lines can provide a measure of the fundamental constants over large look-back times. Current grand unified theories predict an evolution in these and astronomical observations offer the only experimental measure of the values of the constants over large time scales. Of particular interest are the dimensionless constants; the fine structure constant ($\alpha$), the proton-electron mass ratio ($\mu$) and the... more
The study of the redshifted spectral lines can provide a measure of the fundamental constants over large look-back times. Current grand unified theories predict an evolution in these and astronomical observations offer the only experimental measure of the values of the constants over large time scales. Of particular interest are the dimensionless constants; the fine structure constant ($\alpha$), the proton-electron mass ratio ($\mu$) and the proton g-factor ($g_p$), since these do not require a `standard metre-stick'. Here we present a re-analysis of the 18-cm hydroxyl (OH) lines at $z=0.89$, recently detected with the MeerKAT telescope, towards the radio source PKS\,1830-211. Utilizing the previous constraint of $\Delta\mu/\mu=(-1.8\pm1.2)\times10^{-7}$, we obtain $\Delta (\alpha g_p^{0.27})/(\alpha g_p^{0.27})\lesssim5.7\times10^{-5}$, $\Delta \alpha/\alpha\lesssim2.3\times10^{-3}$ and $\Delta g_p/g_p\lesssim7.9\times10^{-3}$. These new constraints are consistent with no evolution over a look-back time of 7.3 Gyr and provide another valuable data point in the putative evolution in the constants. less
By: Akhil Antony, Stephen Appleby, William L Matthewson, Arman Shafieloo
To assess the significance and scale dependence of anomalous large scale modes in the CatWISE quasar data, we generate smoothed number density fields on the sphere and study their extreme values -- maximum, minimum, maximum antipodal difference. By comparing these summary statistics to those obtained from random isotropic realisations of the data, we determine the statistical significance of large scale modes as a function of smoothing scale.... more
To assess the significance and scale dependence of anomalous large scale modes in the CatWISE quasar data, we generate smoothed number density fields on the sphere and study their extreme values -- maximum, minimum, maximum antipodal difference. By comparing these summary statistics to those obtained from random isotropic realisations of the data, we determine the statistical significance of large scale modes as a function of smoothing scale. We perform our analysis using five different versions of the data -- the original quasar map, the maps after separately subtracting the ecliptic bias and the CMB dipole, the map obtained after subtracting both, and the map after subtracting the ecliptic bias and anomalous dipole inferred in \cite{Secrest2021}. We find that the ecliptic-corrected, CMB dipole-removed map exhibits large scale modes that are in tension with random realisations of the data (p-values $p \sim 10^{-4}$), over a wide range of smoothing scales $\pi/8 \leq \delta \leq \pi/2$. The most prominent feature in the data is an underdensity in the southern galactic plane at $(b,\ell) = (-31^\circ,78^\circ)$, which reaches its highest statistical significance when smoothed on scales $\delta = \pi/6$ ($p \ll 10^{-5}$). Notably, the minima statistics align with the maximum antipodal difference statistics, whereas the maxima do not. This suggests that the observed dipole-like behavior in the data is primarily driven by the underdensity in the southern sky. The ecliptic corrected, anomalous dipole subtracted map reduces the significance of any residual anisotropic features, but an underdensity in the south sky persists with p-value $p =0.0018$. less
Cosmology with Galaxy Clusters
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By: Hironao Miyatake
We review recent advancements in cosmology with galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters are the most massive objects in the Universe. Consequently the cluster number density as a function of cluster mass, or cluster abundance, is sensitive to cosmological parameters, particularly the matter density of the Universe $\Omega_{\rm m}$ and the amplitude of matter density fluctuation $\sigma_8$. In this review, we describe the methods used to detect galax... more
We review recent advancements in cosmology with galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters are the most massive objects in the Universe. Consequently the cluster number density as a function of cluster mass, or cluster abundance, is sensitive to cosmological parameters, particularly the matter density of the Universe $\Omega_{\rm m}$ and the amplitude of matter density fluctuation $\sigma_8$. In this review, we describe the methods used to detect galaxy clusters through optical near-infrared (O-NIR), X-ray, and CMB observations, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of cluster detection through different wavelengths. We describe methods for measuring cluster mass, with a particular focus on calibration by WL measurements. We then discuss how the connection between observables in different wavelengths and cluster abundance can be modeled through a cluster selection function and MOR, and quantify the impact of marginalization of nuisance parameters on cosmological constraints. Finally, we also walk through the recent results of cosmological constraints by cluster abundance with the O-NIR, X-ray, and CMB observations. less
By: Yogesh, Abolhassan Mohammadi, Qiang Wu, Tao Zhu
The ACT data shows an enhancement in the value of the scalar spectral index, as $n_s = 0.9743 \pm 0.0034$, leading to disfavoring many inflationary models, including the Starobinsky model. To satisfy the constraint made by ACT, we will investigate the Starobinsky potential within the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet(EGB) gravity theory. EGB gravity is motivated by the higher-dimensional theory, which includes quadratic curvature correction terms and a c... more
The ACT data shows an enhancement in the value of the scalar spectral index, as $n_s = 0.9743 \pm 0.0034$, leading to disfavoring many inflationary models, including the Starobinsky model. To satisfy the constraint made by ACT, we will investigate the Starobinsky potential within the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet(EGB) gravity theory. EGB gravity is motivated by the higher-dimensional theory, which includes quadratic curvature correction terms and a coupling between the scalar field and the GB term that modifies the dynamical equations. The model is considered by using the slow-roll approximation method and the exact numerical approach for two different coupling functions. The results indicate that the model is in good agreement with the data and the results stand in $1\sigma$ of the ACT $r-n_s$ plane. Considering the running of the scalar spectral index also implies the consistency of the model with data. In addition, the parametric space of the free parameters of the EGB coupling is explored, where we find the acceptable region of the parameters in which the resulting $n_s$ and $r$ stay in $1\sigma$ of the ACT data. Next, the reheating phase is considered. It is determined that the model can simultaneously satisfy the constraint of ACT data and the reheating temperature constraints. less
By: Yukei S. Murakami, Daniel Scolnic
The ZTF DR2 includes light curves of 3628 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), making it the largest low-redshift SNe Ia sample available. One central question for analyses of SNe Ia is whether the remaining diversity of standardized luminosities arises in part from an intrinsic or extrinsic effect; characterized by the color-independent bimodality in progenitor population or color- and host- dependent diversity in dust extinction, respectively. In t... more
The ZTF DR2 includes light curves of 3628 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), making it the largest low-redshift SNe Ia sample available. One central question for analyses of SNe Ia is whether the remaining diversity of standardized luminosities arises in part from an intrinsic or extrinsic effect; characterized by the color-independent bimodality in progenitor population or color- and host- dependent diversity in dust extinction, respectively. In the initial analyses of the volume-limited subset (z < 0.06; 945 SNe) of this sample from the ZTF collaboration, the authors reported evidences for the former hypothesis, in contrast to many of the previous evidences for the dust hypothesis found across other largest high- and low- redshift SNe Ia samples. We re-analyze the volume-limited ZTF SNe Ia in the same manner that previous samples were analyzed and report consistency with trends seen in literature samples and in support of the dust hypothesis. We find the following: 1. a color dependency in the canonical `mass-step' size for SNe, with red SNe having a larger host-dependent residual step than blue SNe by 0.18 $\pm$ 0.09 mag; 2. a color-dependent difference in the Hubble residual scatter, with red SNe having a $\sim$ 33% larger scatter than blue SNe at > 3$\sigma$ significance; 3. data's preference of a model that accounts for color-dependency over a simple `step' model at $\sim$ 3$\sigma$; 4. the strongest evidence to date (3.5$\sigma$) that the relationship between SN color, host-galaxy properties, and luminosity is continuous rather than characterized by a discrete step. Accounting for 3 and 4 with our new model, Host2D, yields a 4.0$\sigma$ improvement over the mass-step model. We trace the difference in reported findings to the fitting and analysis methods, in particular the model complexity allowed for the color-luminosity relation, rather than a difference in the sample itself. less
By: K. Rajpurohit, A. Botteon, E. O'Sullivan, W. Forman, M. Balboni, L. Bruno, R. J. van Weeren, M. Hoeft, G. Brunetti, C. Jones, A. S. Rajpurohit, S. P. Sikhosana
We present new, high frequency radio observations of the merging galaxy clusters PLCK G287.0+32.9, Abell 2744, and Bullet. These clusters are known to host $\sim$Mpc scale sources, known as radio halos, which are formed by the acceleration of cosmic rays by turbulence injected into the intracluster medium during cluster mergers. Our new images reveal previously undetected faint outermost regions of halos, extending to over 2 Mpc. This discove... more
We present new, high frequency radio observations of the merging galaxy clusters PLCK G287.0+32.9, Abell 2744, and Bullet. These clusters are known to host $\sim$Mpc scale sources, known as radio halos, which are formed by the acceleration of cosmic rays by turbulence injected into the intracluster medium during cluster mergers. Our new images reveal previously undetected faint outermost regions of halos, extending to over 2 Mpc. This discovery highlights the presence of radio halos with large extents at high frequencies and suggests that their observable size depends on a combination of the observation sensitivity and uv-coverage, and their radio power. We additionally compare the properties of these three clusters with MACS J0717+3745 and Abell 2142, both of which are known to host prominent large radio halos. Remarkably, all five halos, despite their exceptionally large extents, exhibit properties similar to other classical halos: their radial profiles are described by a single-component exponential fit, they show radial spectral index steepening, and have an average radio emissivity of about $10^{-42}\, \mathrm{erg\,s^{-1}\,cm^{-3}\,Hz^{-1}}$. Our results demonstrate that radio halos can extend to the cluster periphery, without the transition to an observationally distinguishable different halo component in the outermost regions. Our findings highlight that careful subtraction of unrelated sources embedded in the halo is necessary to measure the radio surface brightness accurately, as incomplete subtraction can introduce an apparent secondary component in the peripheral regions. less
By: Alexander Oestreicher, Chris Clarkson, Julian Adamek, Sofie Marie Koksbang
The cosmological redshift drift promises to be the first observable directly measuring the cosmic expansion rate and should be detectable with upcoming surveys by the Square Kilometre Array and the Extremely Large Telescope. To prepare for these upcoming measurements we study the redshift drift in detail using the relativistic N-body code $\texttt{gevolution}$ focusing on inhomogeneity-induced fluctuations. Using a ray-tracer, we calculate th... more
The cosmological redshift drift promises to be the first observable directly measuring the cosmic expansion rate and should be detectable with upcoming surveys by the Square Kilometre Array and the Extremely Large Telescope. To prepare for these upcoming measurements we study the redshift drift in detail using the relativistic N-body code $\texttt{gevolution}$ focusing on inhomogeneity-induced fluctuations. Using a ray-tracer, we calculate the redshift drift directly from the light cone at two different time steps. To investigate observer-dependent biases we consider 10 different observers. We find that inhomogeneity-induced fluctuations in the redshift drift can in extreme cases be of the same order as the cosmic signal for $z\lesssim0.15$. By comparing our results to first-order perturbation theory, we find that the extreme outliers are due to peculiar motion in over-densities and can be described by first-order perturbation theory to percent precision. We calculate angular power spectra that fit very well with our theoretical predictions based on perturbation theory at linear scales and show a surprisingly large non-linear signal. This shows that redshift drift not only has the power to measure the background expansion, but could also deliver information about the velocity and acceleration fields in clusters. less
By: Euclid Collaboration, I. Risso, A. Veropalumbo, E. Branchini, E. Maragliano, S. de la Torre, E. Sarpa, P. Monaco, B. R. Granett, S. Lee, G. E. Addison, S. Bruton, C. Carbone, G. Lavaux, K. Markovic, K. McCarthy, G. Parimbelli, F. Passalacqua, W. J. Percival, C. Scarlata, E. Sefusatti, Y. Wang, M. Bonici, F. Oppizzi, N. Aghanim, B. Altieri, A. Amara, S. Andreon, N. Auricchio, C. Baccigalupi, M. Baldi, A. Balestra, S. Bardelli, P. Battaglia, A. Biviano, A. Bonchi, D. Bonino, M. Brescia, J. Brinchmann, S. Camera, G. Cañas-Herrera, V. Capobianco, V. F. Cardone, J. Carretero, S. Casas, M. Castellano, G. Castignani, S. Cavuoti, K. C. Chambers, A. Cimatti, C. Colodro-Conde, G. Congedo, C. J. Conselice, L. Conversi, Y. Copin, F. Courbin, H. M. Courtois, M. Crocce, A. Da Silva, H. Degaudenzi, G. De Lucia, A. M. Di Giorgio, H. Dole, M. Douspis, F. Dubath, C. A. J. Duncan, X. Dupac, S. Dusini, S. Escoffier, M. Farina, R. Farinelli, F. Faustini, S. Ferriol, F. Finelli, S. Fotopoulou, N. Fourmanoit, M. Frailis, E. Franceschi, M. Fumana, S. Galeotta, K. George, W. Gillard, B. Gillis, C. Giocoli, J. Gracia-Carpio, A. Grazian, F. Grupp, L. Guzzo, S. V. H. Haugan, W. Holmes, F. Hormuth, A. Hornstrup, P. Hudelot, K. Jahnke, M. Jhabvala, B. Joachimi, E. Keihänen, S. Kermiche, A. Kiessling, M. Kilbinger, B. Kubik, M. Kümmel, M. Kunz, H. Kurki-Suonio, A. M. C. Le Brun, P. Liebing, S. Ligori, P. B. Lilje, V. Lindholm, I. Lloro, G. Mainetti, D. Maino, E. Maiorano, O. Mansutti, S. Marcin, O. Marggraf, M. Martinelli, N. Martinet, F. Marulli, R. Massey, S. Maurogordato, E. Medinaceli, S. Mei, M. Melchior, Y. Mellier, M. Meneghetti, E. Merlin, G. Meylan, A. Mora, M. Moresco, L. Moscardini, R. Nakajima, C. Neissner, S. -M. Niemi, J. W. Nightingale, C. Padilla, S. Paltani, F. Pasian, K. Pedersen, V. Pettorino, S. Pires, G. Polenta, M. Poncet, L. A. Popa, L. Pozzetti, F. Raison, R. Rebolo, A. Renzi, J. Rhodes, G. Riccio, E. Romelli, M. Roncarelli, E. Rossetti, R. Saglia, Z. Sakr, D. Sapone, B. Sartoris, J. A. Schewtschenko, P. Schneider, T. Schrabback, M. Scodeggio, A. Secroun, G. Seidel, M. Seiffert, S. Serrano, P. Simon, C. Sirignano, G. Sirri, L. Stanco, J. Steinwagner, C. Surace, P. Tallada-Crespí, D. Tavagnacco, A. N. Taylor, I. Tereno, N. Tessore, S. Toft, R. Toledo-Moreo, F. Torradeflot, I. Tutusaus, L. Valenziano, J. Valiviita, T. Vassallo, G. Verdoes Kleijn, D. Vibert, J. Weller, G. Zamorani, F. M. Zerbi, E. Zucca, V. Allevato, M. Ballardini, M. Bolzonella, E. Bozzo, C. Burigana, R. Cabanac, A. Cappi, D. Di Ferdinando, J. A. Escartin Vigo, L. Gabarra, W. G. Hartley, J. Martín-Fleitas, S. Matthew, N. Mauri, R. B. Metcalf, A. Pezzotta, M. Pöntinen, C. Porciani, V. Scottez, M. Sereno, M. Tenti, M. Viel, M. Wiesmann, Y. Akrami, S. Alvi, I. T. Andika, M. Archidiacono, F. Atrio-Barandela, S. Avila, A. Balaguera-Antolinez, C. Benoist, D. Bertacca, M. Bethermin, L. Blot, H. Böhringer, S. Borgani, M. L. Brown, A. Calabro, B. Camacho Quevedo, F. Caro, C. S. Carvalho, T. Castro, F. Cogato, A. R. Cooray, O. Cucciati, S. Davini, F. De Paolis, G. Desprez, A. Díaz-Sánchez, J. J. Diaz, S. Di Domizio, J. M. Diego, P. Dimauro, A. Enia, Y. Fang, A. G. Ferrari, A. Finoguenov, A. Fontana, A. Franco, K. Ganga, J. García-Bellido, T. Gasparetto, V. Gautard, E. Gaztanaga, F. Giacomini, F. Gianotti, G. Gozaliasl, M. Guidi, C. M. Gutierrez, A. Hall, S. Hemmati, C. Hernández-Monteagudo, H. Hildebrandt, J. Hjorth, S. Joudaki, J. J. E. Kajava, Y. Kang, V. Kansal, D. Karagiannis, K. Kiiveri, C. C. Kirkpatrick, S. Kruk, V. Le Brun, J. Le Graet, L. Legrand, M. Lembo, F. Lepori, G. Leroy, G. F. Lesci, L. Leuzzi, T. I. Liaudat, A. Loureiro, J. Macias-Perez, M. Magliocchetti, F. Mannucci, R. Maoli, C. J. A. P. Martins, L. Maurin, M. Miluzio, C. Moretti, G. Morgante, S. Nadathur, K. Naidoo, A. Navarro-Alsina, K. Paterson, L. Patrizii, A. Pisani, D. Potter, S. Quai, M. Radovich, P. -F. Rocci, S. Sacquegna, M. Sahlén, D. B. Sanders, A. Schneider, D. Sciotti, E. Sellentin, L. C. Smith, J. G. Sorce, K. Tanidis, C. Tao, G. Testera, R. Teyssier, S. Tosi, A. Troja, M. Tucci, C. Valieri, A. Venhola, D. Vergani, G. Verza, N. A. Walton
The Euclid survey aims to measure the spectroscopic redshift of emission-line galaxies by identifying the H$\,{\alpha}$ line in their slitless spectra. This method is sensitive to the signal-to-noise ratio of the line, as noise fluctuations or other strong emission lines can be misidentified as H$\,{\alpha}$, depending on redshift. These effects lead to catastrophic redshift errors and the inclusion of interlopers in the sample. We forecast t... more
The Euclid survey aims to measure the spectroscopic redshift of emission-line galaxies by identifying the H$\,{\alpha}$ line in their slitless spectra. This method is sensitive to the signal-to-noise ratio of the line, as noise fluctuations or other strong emission lines can be misidentified as H$\,{\alpha}$, depending on redshift. These effects lead to catastrophic redshift errors and the inclusion of interlopers in the sample. We forecast the impact of such redshift errors on galaxy clustering measurements. In particular, we study the effect of interloper contamination on the two-point correlation function (2PCF), the growth rate of structures, and the Alcock-Paczynski (AP) parameters. We analyze 1000 synthetic spectroscopic catalogues, the EuclidLargeMocks, designed to match the area and selection function of the Data Release 1 (DR1) sample. We estimate the 2PCF of the contaminated catalogues, isolating contributions from correctly identified galaxies and from interlopers. We explore different models with increasing complexity to describe the measured 2PCF at fixed cosmology. Finally, we perform a cosmological inference and evaluate the systematic error on the inferred $f\sigma_8$, $\alpha_{\parallel}$ and $\alpha_{\perp}$ values associated with different models. Our results demonstrate that a minimal modelling approach, which only accounts for an attenuation of the clustering signal regardless of the type of contaminants, is sufficient to recover the correct values of $f\sigma_8$, $\alpha_{\parallel}$, and $\alpha_{\perp}$ at DR1. The accuracy and precision of the estimated AP parameters are largely insensitive to the presence of interlopers. The adoption of a minimal model induces a 1%-3% systematic error on the growth rate of structure estimation, depending on the redshift. However, this error remains smaller than the statistical error expected for the Euclid DR1 analysis. less
Cluster Lensing Mass Inversion (CLUMI+): Combining Dynamics and Weak Lensing around Galaxy Clusters
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By: Keiichi Umetsu, Michele Pizzardo, Antonaldo Diaferio, Margaret J. Geller
We present CLUMI+, a self-consistent, multi-probe methodology for reconstructing the mass distribution in and around galaxy clusters by combining gravitational lensing and dynamical observations. Building on the joint-likelihood framework of Umetsu (2013), CLUMI+ integrates weak-lensing shear and magnification data with projected escape velocity measurements in the cluster infall region, yielding tighter constraints on the gravitational poten... more
We present CLUMI+, a self-consistent, multi-probe methodology for reconstructing the mass distribution in and around galaxy clusters by combining gravitational lensing and dynamical observations. Building on the joint-likelihood framework of Umetsu (2013), CLUMI+ integrates weak-lensing shear and magnification data with projected escape velocity measurements in the cluster infall region, yielding tighter constraints on the gravitational potential without relying on equilibrium assumptions. The mass distribution is modeled using a flexible, piecewise-defined convergence profile that characterizes the azimuthally averaged surface mass density within the lensing field, transitioning to a projected power-law form at larger radii where phase-space constraints complement lensing. Additional strong-lensing constraints are incorporated via central aperture-mass measurements, enabling full-scale mass reconstruction from the cluster core to the outskirts. We validate CLUMI+ using synthetic weak-lensing and phase-space data for a massive cluster from the IllustrisTNG simulations, demonstrating unbiased recovery of projected and three-dimensional mass profiles and achieving 10%--30% improvement in precision at large radii. As a case study, we apply CLUMI+ to Abell 2261, combining Subaru and Hubble Space Telescope weak+strong lensing data with spectroscopic measurements from the Hectospec Cluster Survey. This analysis demonstrates the power of multi-probe, equilibrium-free modeling for robust cluster mass reconstruction. less
By: Kai Schmitz, Tobias Schröder
Cosmic strings are predicted in many extensions of the Standard Model and constitute a plausible source of gravitational waves (GWs) from the early Universe. In a previous article [1], we pointed out that the GW spectrum from a population of string loops in the scaling regime can exhibit a sharp cutoff frequency associated with the fundamental oscillation mode of string loops. In this paper, we study the effect of particle decay due to kink-k... more
Cosmic strings are predicted in many extensions of the Standard Model and constitute a plausible source of gravitational waves (GWs) from the early Universe. In a previous article [1], we pointed out that the GW spectrum from a population of string loops in the scaling regime can exhibit a sharp cutoff frequency associated with the fundamental oscillation mode of string loops. In this paper, we study the effect of particle decay due to kink-kink collisions and cusps on the GW spectrum in the nonscaling scenario introduced in Ref. [2]. We find analytical conditions for the existence of a cutoff frequency in the fundamental spectrum and provide expressions for this frequency. In large regions of parameter space, our results in the nonscaling model turn out to be identical to those in the scaling model. Finally, we demonstrate how the spectrum changes when transitioning from the regime with a cutoff frequency to the regime without a cutoff frequency. Our analytical estimates are validated at qualitatively different benchmark points by comparing them with numerical spectra. less