Modeling and subtracting diffuse cluster light in JWST images : a relation between the spatial distribution of globular clusters, dwarf galaxies, and intracluster light in the lensing cluster SMACS 0723

Martis, Nicholas S. (author), Bradač, Maruša (author), Harshan, Anishya (author), Rihtaršič, Gregor (author)

We present a methodology for modeling and removing light from cluster galaxies and intracluster light (ICL) from James Webb Space Telescope images of gravitational lensing clusters. We apply our method to Webb’s First Deep Field the SMACS 0723 Early Release Observations and use the ICL-subtracted images to select a sample of globular clusters (GCs) and dwarf galaxies within the cluster. We compare the spatial distributions of these two samples with our models of the galaxy and ICL light, finding significant similarities. In particular, we find that GCs trace the diffuse ICL, while dwarf galaxies are centrally concentrated near the cluster center We quantify the relationship between the surface density of compact sources and total cluster light, demonstrating a significant, tight correlation. We repeat our methodology and compare distributions of GCs with the dark matter surface density and find a comparable result. Our findings suggest a common origin for GCs and diffuse ICL, with stripping from massive galaxies as they merge with the cluster being a plausible scenario.

• Language: English
• Keywords: galaxy clusters, high-redshift galaxy clusters, globular star clusters, galaxy evolution
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FMF - Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 16 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 975, no. 1, art. 76
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-165233
• UDC: 524.8
• ISSN on article: 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad7735
• COBISS.SI-ID: 216740099
• Publication date in RUL: 27.11.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: The Astrophysical journal
• Shortened title: Astrophys. j.
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press for the American Astronomical Society
• ISSN: 1538-4357
• COBISS.SI-ID: 515079705

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.