Radial profiles of gas surface brightness and temperature in galaxy clusters

• Grant number: 25/14582-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Extragalactic Astrophysics
• Principal Investigator: Gastão Cesar Bierrenbach Lima Neto
• Grantee: Dainelly Daianne da Cruz Delgado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this undergraduate research project is the study of X-ray emission from galaxy clusters. From these observations, we can determine the radial profiles of density, temperature, and metallicity of the intra-cluster plasma. These profiles will be fitted by analytical empirical functions (such as the beta-model and modifications of this function), and the mass (including dark matter) will be determined using the hydrostatic equilibrium hypothesis. The profiles thus obtained will be analyzed in terms of the mass, richness, and environment of these clusters. Any correlations between the global physical properties of clusters and the intra-cluster gas provide important information about the formation and evolution of these objects.